Digital Commons Network^™

Leading The Way For Better Stem Education: Perceived Leadership, Self-Efficacy, And Commitment Among Stem Teachers, Celina Fayez Fanik Bray

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the relationships among leadership, self-efficacy, and commitment in STEM high school teachers. Grounded in social cognitive theory (Bandura, 1986) and self-determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 1985), the study was guided by three hypotheses: (1) STEM teachers perceived leadership is significantly related to self-efficacy; (2) STEM teachers perceived leadership is significantly related to commitment to teaching; and (3) self-efficacy mediates the relationship between STEM teachers perceived leadership and commitment. This study employed a quantitative cross-sectional research approach that specifically used descriptive correlational design to examine possible relationships among perceived leadership, self-efficacy, and commitment in STEM high school teachers …

Deep Neural Networks For Particle Identification In Simulated Proton-Proton Collisions At Lhc And Rhic, Omar Mazhar Khalaf

Theses and Dissertations

Particle identification is an essential part of experimental high-energy physics, which allows the study of the most fundamental constituents of matter. This thesis explores the use of deep neural networks for identifying particles in simulated proton-proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC). The deep neural networks were trained on LHC datasets which have various momentum ranges including regions of high transverse momentum above 3 GeV/c. The key findings of thesis include achieving an accuracy of 99.99%, 98.3%, and 90.14% for 3-5 pt, 5-7 pt and above 7 pt regions respectively for the …

Elite Cohesion And Its Historical Sources: Analyzing Its Impact On Democratization In Nigeria And Botswana, Aliaa Magdy Aboutera

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the divergent democratization trajectories of Botswana and Nigeria, focusing on the role of colonial legacies and post-colonial elites in shaping elite cohesion. While both countries experienced British colonial rule, their transitions to democracy in the post-independence period have differed significantly. This study argues that elite cohesion, although insufficient on its own, is a critical facilitating factor in democratic consolidation that warrants greater attention in the democratization literature. This cohesion is largely shaped by the sociology of political elites, with historical contexts influencing how elites organize. Through process tracing, the thesis argues that colonialism in Botswana did not …

The Different Roles Of Women In The Islamic State Of Iraq And Syria: An Explanation., Menan Baher Hassanein

Theses and Dissertations

Why do women not run away from a violent anti-feminist group like ISIS even though gender norms dictate that women shall be peaceful, stereotypes highlight that they are peace-loving, and rationality directs that they should not leave their patriarchal societies only to join another mini patriarchal one? This thesis aimed to answer this question and focused on non-Western ISIS female members. Notably, this study was merely interested in a gender-based explanation in the sense that it wanted to see how gender dynamics, norms and gender-related grievances push Daesh women into the group’s ranks. This study hypothesized that women join ISIS …

Removal Of Fluoroquinolones From Water Systems Employing Rice Husk Composited Sponges Via Nanoadsorption, Dalia Kanaa

Theses and Dissertations

A novel nanocomposite of polyvinyl alcohol formaldehyde (PVF) sponge loaded with green zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP) and referred to as (NP-PVF) was fabricated as a potential adsorbent of ciprofloxacin from water. A simple mechanical foaming process was used to synthesize the adsorbent. Rice husk extract was used to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONP) for its phytochemicals as reducing agents. A facile and low-energy-dependent extraction method was used that did not require the use of high-temperature annealing. The synthesized nanoparticles showed a maximum UV absorption at 347 nm, which corresponds to a 3.58 eV band gap energy. FTIR confirmed the successful …

Development Of Preventive Dental Guidelines In The Primary Healthcare Setting In Egypt: A Delphi Method, Basant Mehriz

Theses and Dissertations

This study addresses the critical need for standardized preventive dental care guidelines within Egypt's primary healthcare system amid the rising burden of oral diseases. Through a systematic two-phase methodology combining a comprehensive literature review and a Delphi consensus-building process engaging 35 dental professionals, the research established priorities for contextually appropriate preventive measures. The consensus framework revealed strong support for clinical interventions (mean of 83% agreement), particularly fluoride-based prevention; community initiatives (mean of 83%), especially school-based programs; policy measures (mean of 77%) such as workforce and educational development, though with variable support for taxation and social determinants approaches. Statistical analysis demonstrated …

Building Brains And Relationships Beginning From Birth: Exploring Multilingual Parents' Experiences With A Babies Initiative Family-School Partnership, Diane D. Joyce

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined multilingual families’ experiences in a family-school early literacy program during the critical period of brain development, the Phlournoy Babies Initiative (PBI). Participants included five multilingual (ML) and immigrant families who have participated in this program for multiple years. In addition, this study probed how families were applying the strategies shared during PBI sessions within the context of their culture and home environment. Sociocultural, ecological systems, and culturally responsive teaching theories formed the framework of this study. A narrative inquiry approach was applied, which provided the researcher the opportunity to share the stories and experiences of the participants. …

Developing Indicators For Comprehensive Evaluation Of Equity In Transportation Systems, Ruqaya Emad Alfaris

Theses and Dissertations

Achieving transportation equity is essential for social inclusion, access to opportunities, and reducing disparities. However, traditional evaluation methods are often fragmented and fail to capture equity’s multidimensional nature. This dissertation develops a comprehensive framework for creating indicators to evaluate transportation equity effectively. It begins with a literature review to comprehend the theoretical background, followed by expert interviews highlight gaps in current evaluation practices. Statistical modeling and machine learning analysis was conducted to first explore indicators’ impact on transportation equity, and then investigate transportation safety disparities in underserved communities. Findings from literature review, interview with professionals, and analysis results are used …

The Role Full-Time Faculty Play In Retaining Students With New Initiatives Implemented By The Administration: A Qualitative Case Study, Kenyatta Collins

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the role full-time faculty play in supporting student retention within the context of new administrative initiatives at a New Jersey community college. Grounded in the framework of faculty as institutional agents, the research investigated how faculty understood their role, engaged with retention efforts, and perceived their alignment with institutional goals. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with full-time faculty involved in or impacted by retention initiatives. Thematic analysis revealed that while faculty were committed to student success, they experienced limited involvement in the development and communication of these initiatives. Participants expressed a need for consistent communication, …

The Development Of The Disclosed Reasons Of Partners' Premature Discontinuation In Couple Therapy Questionnaire (Dropped-Ct), Luca Codeca'

Theses and Dissertations

Premature discontinuation from couple therapy presents a substantial challenge for clients, therapists, and society. Inconsistent data on the frequency and reasons for premature discontinuation may be attributed to a lack of methodological rigor in assessing the phenomenon. This study addresses this gap by developing the Disclosed Reasons Of PrEmature Discontinuation in Couple Therapy Questionnaire (DROPPED-CT), a comprehensive instrument designed to assess the reasons why couples prematurely discontinue therapy. Utilizing a mixed-method approach, the DROPPED-CT was developed through the integration of qualitative and quantitative data. The questionnaire demonstrates strong potential for enhancing the consistency of construct operationalization and improving the comparability …

University Counseling Center Therapists' Perspectives Of Counseling About Nutrition, Ana Lucia Pacheco

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined university counseling center therapists' perspectives on discussing nutrition in therapy. Despite the established link between nutrition and mental health, minimal research has explored how therapists approach these discussions. This study used interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to analyze semi-structured interviews with 10 university counseling center therapists from the Mountain West region. Four overarching themes emerged: a deficit view of nutrition, perceived utility, ethical practice, and holistic care. Therapists unanimously recognized the connection between nutrition and mental health and primarily discussed nutrition with clients presenting with eating disorders or disordered eating, those who express interest, or as part of …

Reactivity To Environmental And Social Demands In Autistic And Neurotypical Children: More Alike Than Different?, Sarah-Ann Louder James

Theses and Dissertations

Research has increasingly recognized that empathy difficulties between autistic and neurotypical individuals are mutual. As empathy depends on shared understanding, identifying common ground between autistic and neurotypical children is important to foster greater empathy. This study examined reactivity patterns in autistic and neurotypical children to explore how similarities in reactivity might promote empathy across neurodiverse groups. Using a quantitative, survey-based design, parents of 56 children (19 autistic, 37 neurotypical; ages 5-11) completed a novel measure developed for this study, the Reactivity to Scenarios of Differing Intensity (RSDI), which measures children's reactivity to various social and environmental scenarios of differing intensity. …

Latent Profiles Of Couples' Marital Power And Gender Ideologies: Associations With Physical Intimate Partner Violence, Rylie Speirs

Theses and Dissertations

This study aims to identify couple typologies regarding gender ideologies and marital power, and investigate how couple typologies relate to sociodemographic characteristics as well as rates of physical intimate partner violence (IPV). Several theoretical approaches connect marital power and gender ideologies to IPV but emphasize different couple typologies. For example, family violence perspectives suggest gender ideology mismatch is a stressor that increases the likelihood of either spouse reporting low power or engaging in physical IPV. Feminist theories add that men may use IPV to maintain patriarchal power dynamics when women deviate from traditional gender norms, emphasizing the risk of IPV …

Study Of Capital And Operation Costs For Reverse Osmosis Desalination Plants, Habiba Mahdy Mohamed

Theses and Dissertations

Desalination is a progressively common solution to supply freshwater in numerous parts of the globe where this resource falls short. Among all desalination techniques, seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) is the most globally prevalent technology. Evaluating a desalination technology's cost-effectiveness is essential to ensure a well-designed plant can be implemented successfully and within an acceptable budget. In the Egyptian context, where water scarcity heightens the urgency of effective resource allocation, economic indicators such as capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX) are pivotal in shaping policy and planning decisions. Adopting this integrated financial perspective ensures that desalination projects are not only …

Comparing Emotional Facial Expressions Produced During Personal Narrative Discourse By People With And Without Aphasia, Chloe K. Houghton

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the differences in emotional facial expressivity between people with aphasia (PWA) and control participants during emotional discourse tasks. Participants consisted of 26 PWA and 26 control participants from Aphasia Talk Bank who retold a stroke or illness story and an important life event story, totaling 104 video files. Undergraduate research assistants were trained to code emotional facial expressions according to valence, intensity, and duration utilizing a modified Facial Expression Coding System (FACES; Kring & Sloan, 1991). Dependent variables included positive frequency, negative frequency, positive intensity, and negative intensity. Results from this study demonstrate that female participants used …

Assessing Illegal Take Of Sea Turtle In Bocas Del Toro, Panamanian Caribbean, Daniela Carolina Rojas-Cañizales

Theses and Dissertations

In Bocas del Toro, Panama, sea turtles were exploited for generations to supply local, national, and international markets. Today, sea turtle species are globally protected by different laws, and Panama is no exception. However, the use of sea turtles in Bocas del Toro and local perceptions regarding the consumption of these reptiles are unknown. Accordingly, during May of 2024, I conducted twenty-five semi-structured interviews with key informants selected by targeted and snowball sampling. Sea turtle consumption persists, and there is a clandestine network to sell turtle meat and derived products in Bocas del Toro. This study provides the first assessment …

Rotating Scatter Mask System Optimization Study For Determining Optimal Image Recreation, Seth L. Grover

Theses and Dissertations

The Rotating Scatter Mask (RSM) system is a radiation imaging technology currently limited by the mask design and governing identification algorithm parameters. To optimize the RSM design, Dakota—an optimization software—was integrated with a ray tracing code that simulates particle interactions with the RSM detector, and with the Locally Competitive Algorithm (LCA), which reconstructs the source image based on the ray tracing code’s Detector Response Matrix (DRM). Since the original ray tracing code was developed in MATLAB, it was translated into Python to improve compatibility with both Dakota and LCA. The Python version of the ray tracing code was then integrated …

Framing The Sudanese Refugee Flows To Egypt Across Traditional And Social Media., Ghada Abdullah

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the framing of Sudanese refugees in Egyptian media during the first year of the Sudanese conflict (April 2023–March 2024). Employing a content analysis framework, the research investigates content from three Egyptian newspapers—Al Ahram, Al Masry Al Youm, and Al Wafd—alongside tweets from the social media platform X. The study identifies recurring frames, themes, and narratives, highlighting differences between traditional media and social media platforms in their portrayal of Sudanese refugees. Key findings reveal that neutral tone dominate traditional media, focusing on factual reporting, followed by negative, then positive tones. Conversely, social media predominantly features negative narratives, such …

Attitude About Campus Diversity In A Post Anti-Affirmative Action Era, Robert Shawn Chester

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Robert Shawn Chester ATTITUDES ABOUT CAMPUS DIVERSITY IN A POST ANTI-AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ERA 2024-2025 Stephanie Lezotte, Ph.D. Master of Arts in Higher Education This thesis examines the implications of the recent Supreme Court ruling that deemed race-based Affirmative Action policies unconstitutional, focusing on its impact on diversity in higher education. Since the 1960s, Affirmative Action has been a pivotal tool in promoting racial equity and diversity in American colleges and universities, yet legal challenges have led to its dismantling in several states and now nationwide. This research explores Rowan University staff perspectives on the challenges and strategies for maintaining …

Relations Among Racism-Related Stress, Anxiety, Spirituality And Mindfulness In Black Sexual Minority Men, Kainaat Anwar

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Kainaat Anwar RELATIONS AMONG RACISM-RELATED STRESS, ANXIETY, SPIRITUALITY AND MINDFULNESS IN BLACK SEXUAL MINORITY MEN 2021-2022 Jonathan Mathias Lassiter, Ph.D. Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Black sexual minority men’s experiences of racism and anxiety have not been documented extensively in the literature. There is also a paucity of research exploring protective factors that can mitigate the effects of racial stress on anxiety in BSMM. Therefore, this study looked at the potential moderating effects of spirituality and mindfulness on the relationship between racism-related stress and anxiety in BSMM. Participants completed measures regarding socio-demographics, racism-related stress, anxiety symptoms, mindfulness and …

Reservation Century: The Use Of Reservations From The League Of Nations To The Genocide Convention, Emily Zekan Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the twentieth century practice of using reservations, understandings, and declarations to undermine international treaties, specifically the League of Nations and the Convention for the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Senators first attempted to attach reservations to the Treaty of Versailles after World War I in response to the proposed League of Nations. The concerns raised in the 1910s regarding sovereignty, domestic jurisdiction, and the rights of American citizens were repeated when the Genocide Convention was proposed in 1948. The Senate refused to pass the Genocide Convention until the 1980s …

Musnad ʿAbd Allāh Ibn Al-Zubayr Al-Ḥumaydī As An Early Source Of Madanī Isnād: A Source Critical Study, Heba Mohamed Gaafar

Theses and Dissertations

The transmission of ḥadīth has been a subject of intense debate, particularly regarding the authenticity of early compilations. Musnad al-Ḥumaydī is a ḥadīth collection that has not received significant scholarly attention despite its potential to shed light on early ḥadīth transmission. This study critically examines Musnad al-Ḥumaydī by analyzing its structure, sources, and methodology, focusing on its relationship with Sufyān b. ʿUyayna, the primary transmitter of its ḥadīth. By applying isnād analysis and source criticism, this research challenges the assumption that early ḥadīth compilations were unreliable or retrospectively constructed. Al-Ḥumaydī did not simply collect narrations. The study demonstrates that Musnad …

The Earth's Voice: The Social, Spiritual, And Secular Justifications For The Earth's Freedom Of Expression, Ashley Tzeting Pun Eveson

Theses and Dissertations

The Earth's legal right to freedom of speech remains largely unexplored within the broader legal movement for the rights of nature, which emerged in the 1970s. While environmental law increasingly recognizes nature's rights to exist and thrive, as illustrated by legal rights granted to various natural entities--like the Whanganui River or manoomin rice--the Earth's ability to communicate remains underdeveloped. This study employs legal research analysis to examine the philosophical reasoning behind how social, spiritual, and secular frameworks justify the Earth's right to freedom of speech and expression. It explores legal guardianship, scientific data, Indigenous knowledge, and spiritual stewardship as valid …

Poetries Of Abandonment: A Study Of Plath And Glück, Yara Abdelmoneim

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the intersection between literature and trauma, which can be discerned in the key works of two poets, Sylvia Plath and Louise Glück. While offering readings of crucial poems, the thesis also examines the interrelations among trauma, memory and narrative as theorized by two contemporary psychiatrists, Bessel van der Kolk and Judith Herman. Both Plath and Glück wrote about personal and generational trauma after going through different experiences of abandonment. Absence, indirection and repetition provide the basis for literary techniques that allow their traumas to be better understood by authors and readers alike. The degree to which each …

Application Of Bioinformatic Tools To Tuberculosis Surveillance At The Arkansas Department Of Health, Brian Scott Delavan

Theses and Dissertations

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a public health threat in Arkansas. Great strides have been made over the past fifty years to reduce the number of TB cases in Arkansas. However, the rate of TB cases has remained steady since 2010. According to the Arkansas Department of Health, from 2012 through 2023 the TB Case rate per 100,00 population was between 2.0 and 3.1. To continue Arkansas’ drive towards elimination of TB in Arkansas, defined as one TB case per million residents, new data analysis tools are needed. This project employs multiple bioinformatic tools to analyze TB cases and latent tuberculosis infections …

Perceptions Of Faculty On Trauma-Informed Practices At The American University In Cairo, Marwa M. Emara

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

Trauma-informed education is gaining momentum in higher education as a framework that seeks to create learning environments that are safe, inclusive, and responsive to the emotional and psychological needs of students—particularly those who have experienced trauma. This qualitative study, situated at the American University in Cairo (AUC), explores how faculty perceive, understand, and implement trauma-informed practices in a diverse university context that includes refugee and displaced students. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with seventeen faculty members from various disciplines and incorporating an autoethnographic reflection. An expert interview was conducted with Dr. Mays Imad, a leading scholar in trauma-informed …

Costs And Challenges In The Mississippi Log Trucking Industry, James Tucker Shannon

Theses and Dissertations

Challenges impacting Mississippi log trucking businesses include escalating production costs, labor shortages, aging ownership, and rising liability insurance premiums. These concerns are transmitted back to loggers, landowners, and the entire forest products industry, reducing their contributions to the state’s economy. Lack of current knowledge concerning the adaptation of Mississippi log trucking companies under adverse business conditions necessitated a statewide mixed-mode survey to determine the industry’s structure, the nature of liability insurance premiums, and business owner perceptions about driver hiring and profitability. Mississippi log trucking business owners and drivers were predominantly middle-aged, with fewer individuals under the age of 40. Log …

An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Investigation Of Previous Sexual Health Communication Between Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Or Queer Young Adults And Their Parents, Haley Elizabeth Solace

Theses and Dissertations

Research suggests parent-child communication about sexual health can promote positive sexual health outcomes (e.g., Estrada-Martinez et al., 2020; Jayne et al., 2021); however, parent-child sexual health conversations are often infrequent and heteronormative (Estes, 2017). Few studies explore sexual health communication between LGBQ youth and their parents. This study explores previous experiences with parent-child sexual health communication between seven LGBQ young adults, aged 18 to 26, and four of their heterosexual mothers, to better understand parent-child sexual health communication and differences between parental-child reflections. Findings suggest LGBQ young adults and parents recall similar experiences, however, perceived discomfort and parental competency differently. …

“Here For Everyone” (?): How Intimate Partner Violence Service Organizations Address Community Needs And Transgender Inclusion In The Deep South, Brian Tesch

Theses and Dissertations

Transgender individuals face disproportionately high rates of intimate partner violence (also known as IPV) when compared to other sociodemographic groups. Despite this prevalence, IPV service organizations in the Deep South (e.g., Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina), a region of the U.S. encompassing several rural communities and characterized by traditional gender norms and conservative Christian religious values, may have difficulties meeting the unique needs of transgender IPV survivors. This dissertation explores two key areas: (1) the perceptions of IPV service organization staff members in the Deep South concerning how their agencies assist members of the transgender community, and (2) …

Lateral Control Of Autonomous Vehicle Using Deep Cnn And Ampc, Iffat Ara Ebu

Theses and Dissertations

Autonomous functionalities are pivotal for the advancement of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), driving towards collision-free and environmentally sustainable transportation. This thesis presents two distinct studies addressing critical aspects of autonomous vehicle control: lane centering via deep learning and lateral vehicle control using model predictive control. The first study explores end-to-end learning f or autonomous s teering command generation, focusing on lane centering. A convolutional neural network (CNN) model, inspired by NVIDIA’s PilotNet, is employed to directly map raw camera pixel inputs to steering commands, eliminating the need for intermediate feature engineering. The model is trained and validated using datasets …