Digital Commons Network^™

Programming Lights For Storytelling In Live Theatre: Technology, Collaboration, And Creativity, Jeremy Pitts

Undergraduate University Honors Capstones

This project explores how theatrical programming supports creative storytelling in live performance while collaborating closely with a professional Lighting Designer. My primary focus is acquiring theatrical programming skills, with the already foundational knowledge of theatrical electricity that supports theatre productions. Throughout the thesis process, I will learn to operate the ETC (Electronic Theatre Controls) Ion Classic console via structured tutorials and hands-on production experience. This practical approach will guide me comprehensively to understand the console's capabilities and real-world application. As part of my capstone project, I take on a role as a Co-Lighting Designer, co-designering with a professional lighting designer …

Optimizing Project Success In Civil Engineering: Assessing The Impact Of Integrating Agile Methodologies In Large-Scale Construction Projects., Sameerullah Sheik

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

Building and civil engineering projects face numerous challenges during their lifespans. A study was conducted to investigate the use of Agile and hybrid methodologies for improving project performance. The contingency theory was applied to determine the impact of Agile on cost, schedule, quality, and stakeholder engagement. It also explored obstacles and factors in successful implementation. The study used qualitative research design and interviewed 15 construction project professionals from different sectors. The interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis to extract information about Agile and hybrid methodologies. The major findings showed that these methodologies were not used in their pure form. Instead, …

The Impact Of Emotional Intelligence In C-Suite Executives On Employee Motivation And Voluntary Turnover In Medium-Sized Healthcare Organizations In The United States, Pujan Desai

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

This quantitative study sought to determine whether emotionally intelligent behaviors exhibited by C-suite executives in medium-sized US healthcare businesses were linked to increased employee motivation and decreased retention related outcomes rates. Employee burnout, staffing shortages, and workforce instability were just a few of the persistent issues facing healthcare businesses that highlighted how crucial good executive leadership was to be fostering organizational sustainability. Few empirical studies had examined emotional intelligence's influence at the C-suite level in healthcare organizations, even though it was widely acknowledged as a crucial component of good leadership. Research on the function of executive emotional intelligence and how …

Enterprise Risk Management And Firm Performance In China: The Moderating Role Of Risk Management Committee, Liang Yankun

Student Works (2020-2029)

Risk management has increasingly become an interesting topic among the academicians and industry practitioners, following the 2008 global financial crisis. Motivated from the growing evidence of the significant role of Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) in improving firm performance, this study examines the relationship between ERM and firm performance in the context of China. Furthermore, this study explores the moderating role of risk management committee (RMC) on the relationship between ERM and firm performance in China. Drawing upon 94 public listed firms on the Shanghai Stock Exchange from 2018 to 2021, this study finds that ERM has significantly and positively affects …

Essays On Innovation And Financial Markets Cryptoassets And Other Financial Technologies, Zachary Ethan Glatzer

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

In this manuscript, I present essays that examine the role of innovation in financial markets. The first essay introduces a classification framework for cryptoassets. Existing approaches either apply overly broad economic-function criteria or rely on narrow legal definitions, neither of which adequately captures the diversity of digital assets. This essay proposes a two-track framework that integrates both functional roles and technical structure. By bridging the gap between traditional asset categories and emerging digital instruments, this framework offers actionable guidance for policymakers assessing regulatory treatment, practitioners evaluating risk profiles, and academics engaged in research at the intersection of digital finance and …

Synthesis And Performance Evaluation Of Zeolite-Based Ni–Cao For Integrated Co2 Capture And Conversion, Zhang Xinggang

Student Works (2020-2029)

Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) is increasingly being adopted as a strategy to minimize carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. Integrated CO₂ capture and utilization (ICCU) is more attractive as it reduces overall cost and energy consumption by eliminating the need for gas compression and transportation. Advances in ICCU and the development of dual functional materials (DFMs) capable of adsorbing and in situ converting CO₂ have attracted increasing attention in both academia and industry, driven by the need for efficient CO₂ utilization pathways. After a detailed analysis of the literature, zeolites have emerged as prominent materials for use as adsorbents and catalyst …

Building The Foundations For School Success: Regulation, Social-Emotional Learning, And Pre-Handwriting Supports In A Reggio Inspired-Preschool, Allyson San Roman

OTD Capstone Projects

The goal of this capstone project was to develop evidence-based activities and resources to support student regulation, social-emotional learning, and pre-handwriting skills within a Reggio-inspired preschool setting. A needs assessment conducted through classroom observations, informal data collection, and collaboration with educators identified a need for developmentally appropriate strategies to support regulation and social-emotional learning, with an emphasis on proactive approaches to promote foundational skills and prevent the emergence of challenging behaviors. Additional observations revealed a need for increased opportunities to support fine motor and pre-handwriting development. Capstone deliverables  included social-emotional learning lessons, regulation strategies for students, and supports for early …

The Power Of Play: Enhancing Caregiver Engagement In Play-Based Development Through Educational Gym Signage At We Rock The Spectrum - Franklin, Elise Yeager

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through partnership with We Rock the Spectrum - Franklin. We Rock the Spectrum is a network of indoor sensory play gyms that provide children of all abilities with the opportunity to play, develop sensory and motor skills, and engage in social interaction in a supportive environment. The purpose of this project was to develop guided play experiences that educate caregivers on the benefits of play and offer practical play ideas. Evidence-based gym signage was developed for various equipment and areas of the gym, providing key information, suggestions, and QR codes for further resources. Additional …

Building Foundations Together: Occupational Therapy In A Private School Setting, Avery Tidwell

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with the Battle Ground Academy Early Learning Center in Franklin, Tennessee, and focused on educating preschool teachers and parents on child development and the value of occupational therapy in supporting early childhood outcomes. This project highlighted the benefits of integrating therapy services within a private school setting while emphasizing collaboration between stakeholders in order to promote carryover between classroom and home environments. Key components included the development of a teacher handbook and staff education program, implementation of a monthly parent education series, and delivery of a presentation to high school students to …

Stars Program: Where Every Mind Shines With Hope And Purpose, Haleigh R. Robinette

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Dr. Sue Iliff at Belmont University to support the development and promotion of the Succeeding, Thriving, and Resilient Students (STARS) program, a new and upcoming initiative on Belmont’s campus. STARS is an evidence-informed initiative designed to support neurodiverse, degree-seeking undergraduate students experiencing challenges in executive functioning, academic skills, social communication, or independent life management. STARS will offer support through individualized academic coaching, structured peer mentoring, and targeted skill-building workshops. The focus of this project was to create a comprehensive program proposal based on evidence derived from similar programming, current research literature, …

Growing Sensory Education And Resources At Gbe Alliance, Kelsey Gardner

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Global Behavior Education Alliance (GBE Alliance) to bring together occupational therapy and applied behavior analysis to support individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This project was designed with the GBE Alliance mission at the forefront, providing research-based, comprehensive care to meet individual needs. The goal of this project was to educate staff and families on sensory systems, regulation, and supporting children through play. Key outcomes included a motor station with guided activities to target each aspect of the sensory system, break time spaces with tools to increase regulation, sensory room designed …

Still Within Reach, Lauren Matz

Honors Theses

For my Graduating Presentation and Honors Thesis, I created a piece based on my two sister and me, as I found myself yearning for our moments together while growing up but recognize that we will never be that age and all together again. The idea of being apart is scary, but inevitable, and rather than dwell on the idea of it, I wanted to create a piece of reflection and growth for all three of us.

During the development of my concept, I revisited old home videos and journaled out a path of how the piece would progress. The first …

Redox Reprogramming In Neurogenesis: Candidate Developmental Switches And Targets Of Oxidative Toxicity In The Redox Proteome, Ryan Jacob Summerhays

Theses and Dissertations

Neurogenic differentiation requires coordinated redox regulation, yet how reversible cysteine oxidation is remodeled at proteome scale during this process remains poorly defined. Here, we asked whether differentiation is associated with selective, site-specific changes in reversible cysteine oxidation and whether oxidative stress reveals developmentally conditioned vulnerabilities within this redox landscape. To address this, we applied a discovery-oriented, proteome-scale redox profiling strategy that quantifies condition-dependent changes in reversible cysteine oxidation using CysPAT labeling, phosphopeptide enrichment, and multiplexed TMT mass spectrometry. Neurogenic differentiation was characterized by reproducible, bidirectional, and highly site-specific remodeling of reversible cysteine oxidation at discrete regulatory nodes, as well as …

Identifying Least-Restrictive Interventions For Food Selectivity In A School Setting, Charlotte R. Kerwin

Doctoral Dissertations - College of Arts and Sciences

There is a breadth of behavior analytic research in the treatment of food selectivity and refusal in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities (Bachmeyer, 2009; Ledford et al., 2018; Williams & Sieverling, 2023), but many studies are conducted in clinics, hospitals, or homes by researchers, and use escape prevention as a primary component of intervention (Ledford et al., 2018; Saini et al., 2019). Recent research has prioritized the identification of antecedent and reinforcement-based interventions without the use of escape prevention in the treatment of food selectivity (see Tereshko et al., 2021, for a review), and …

Practical, Scalable, And Cost-Effective Nanolc-Ms Workflow For Single-Cell Proteomics, Siqi Huang

Theses and Dissertations

Single-cell proteomics provides a novel research strategy for decoding cellular heterogeneity, revealing the molecular mechanisms of rare cell subpopulations, and studying the dynamic responses of cells to external stimuli. However, compared to transcriptomics, single-cell proteomics faces even more challenging technical challenges: extremely low protein amount in single cells, wide dynamic range, significant adsorptive losses during sample preparation, and the complex matrix and trace sample injection demanding extremely high stability and sensitivity from the separation and detection systems. Mass spectrometry-based bottom-up proteomics has become an important tool for analyzing complex biological systems, and nano-flow liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (nanoLC-MS) exhibits unique advantages …

Risk Factors Affecting Functional Outcomes Of Traumatic Brain Injury Patients During Long-Term Acute Care Hospital Rehabilitation, Arturo Olazabal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health concern associated with long-term disability and high healthcare utilization. Evidence guiding post-acute rehabilitation for medically complex TBI populations remains limited, particularly in long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) settings serving medically unstable patients. This study examined clinical and system-level factors associated with functional rehabilitation outcomes among adults with moderate-to-severe TBI in LTACHs. Guided by the Socioecological Model, recovery was conceptualized as interactions across individual, clinical, and organizational levels. This dissertation included three manuscripts using cross-sectional logistic regression and CMS Section GG measures. In Manuscript 1, longer time from injury to LTACH admission …

Analyzing Variations In 48-Hour Mortality Rates Following Hospital Admission For Trauma Injuries Across Urban And Rural Hospitals, Kimberly Gilbert Henderson

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Purpose:  To examine 48-hour in-hospital mortality among trauma admissions and evaluate patient- and hospital-level factors associated with early death, with emphasis on rural–urban differences.

Methods:  This retrospective observational study used the 2022 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project–National Inpatient Sample (HCUP-NIS). Trauma admissions were identified using HCUP injury indicators and ICD-10-CM codes restricted to initial encounters. To reduce transfer-related bias, analyses were limited to non-transfer admissions after excluding 22,195 transfer-in cases, 6,723 transfer-out cases, and 66 observations with missing data, yielding 182,560 admissions. Early mortality was defined as death within 48 hours. Bivariate differences were assessed using χ² tests, and multivariable …

Dialectical Inquiry: Questions And Conversations That Enhance Learning And Encourage Development Of Self-Governance, Linda Barrett

Master of Arts in Classical Studies

This research considers the influence of dialectical questions and conversations on learning and the development of self-governance. The term dialectic has roots in the Greek dialegesthai, meaning to talk through, or to converse. Dialectic is a form of dialogue that pursues truth through questions that consider opposing or multiple perspectives of an idea or issue and conversation toward a clearer understanding of those perspectives. The dialectic is the “spirit of inquiry” at the heart of classical Christian education. It is often the locus, or place, of learning because asking questions and engaging in dialogue are essential ways in …

Understanding Post-Nicu Caregiver Mental Health And Occupational Participation: Implications For Healthcare Practice, Emily S. Knight

Student Capstone Papers

This capstone project explored the mental health challenges experienced by caregivers following their infant’s discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and the resulting impact on occupational participation. Using a mixed-methods design, data was collected through an anonymous survey of 46 post-NICU caregivers, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative responses. Findings revealed that caregivers commonly experienced significant mental health concerns, including stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, particularly within the first year following discharge. Although results demonstrated a statistically significant improvement in mental health over time, many caregivers reported limited access to mental health resources and professional support. Importantly, the study …

Cultivating Wisdom And Virtue: A Professional Development Model For Teachers Entering Classical Schools, Andrea Lyons Wells

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Andrea Lyons Wells on April 10, 2026.

From Assessment To Action: Evaluating Support Components In Accelerated Induction To Teaching Programs For Enhanced Candidate Satisfaction And Program Improvement, Traci Catto, Kelli Moransais

Graduate Student Dissertations, Theses, Capstones, and Portfolios

The transition from preservice teacher preparation to full-time teaching represents one of the most critical and vulnerable periods in an educator's career, with research consistently demonstrating that nearly half of all teachers leave the profession within their first five years. Alternative certification pathways have emerged nationwide to address persistent teacher shortages, yet the quality and intensity of support embedded within these pathways, rather than the pathway type itself, most strongly predicts teacher retention and effectiveness. The Accelerated Induction to Teaching (AIT) program at an R1 University in Florida places teacher preparation candidates into unfilled teaching positions as teachers of record …

Singing Not To Sing: The Interplay Of The Environment And Behavior On The Reproductive Success Of Forest Breeding Migratory Birds, Miranda Bliss Zammarelli

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Habitat selection is a key behavior that has consequences for fitness, which can shift with environmental variation. The environment can affect reproductive success indirectly by shaping behavior or via direct impacts. Many forest breeding migratory birds choose a habitat by establishing territories. To understand the interplay of environment and behavior on the reproductive success of forest breeding migratory birds, I leveraged long-term data and newly collected species-specific data from Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, USA. I analyzed over 50 years of territory maps from seven species occupying a 10-ha plot to understand how birds distribute themselves in a habitat. …

Differentials As Models: Constructing A Differentials-Within-Limits Framework For First-Year Calculus And Examining Students' Understanding Of Limits, Differentials, And Derivatives Within It, Alexander A. Swindler

Theses and Dissertations

Work in first-year calculus has clearly shown the power that treating differentials (such as dx) as tiny quantities affords for first-year calculus learning, yet a traditional limits-based approach leaves no room for them. While some researchers have loosely described informal differentials and limits within the same paradigm, their actual conceptual definitions and relationships have not been explicitly constructed. Continued progress in this area could benefit from theoretical consideration of (a) providing clearer intuitive definitions for differentials inside a limits-based approach to calculus, and (b) defining more exactly the relationships between differentials and limits. In this study, I propose a theoretical …

Leading Through Stability: How Relational Leadership And Stability Transformed The Culture Of Boone Middle School, Luke P. Thuston

Dissertations

Principal turnover remains a persistent challenge in American education, yet limited research has examined the long-term cultural consequences of chronic leadership instability or the mechanisms through which schools recover. This convergent mixed-methods case study investigated how leadership stability and intentional relationship-building practices influenced the transformation of school climate and culture at Boone Middle School, a suburban middle school in Missouri with a sustained history of administrative turnover. Between 2001 and 2022, the school experienced seven principals and fifteen assistant principals, contributing to normalized instability, diminished relational trust, and skepticism toward organizational change. This study examined the period of leadership stabilization …

Promoting Safety And Community For Dancers, Lauren Tribeck

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone was completed in partnership with MOVE Inclusive Dance in Nashville, Tennessee. MOVE Inclusive Dance is a nonprofit organization that empowers individuals of all ability levels to learn life skills through dance. The primary goal of this project was to promote safety for dancers and improve MOVE’s community outreach. The project included creating an injury prevention and body mechanics handbook that the studio would be able to keep for their dancers, parents, and teachers to access. A new framework of dance classes for individuals with Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s, and Dementia was created to allow MOVE to promote why …

Nashville Dolphins: Where Swimmers Are Built Beyond The Water, Makenzie Hendley

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed through a partnership with Nashville Dolphins. The Nashville Dolphins offer free swim lessons and swim team programs for children and adults with disabilities. The organization serves over 300 swimmers each season and the programs are entirely run by volunteers. The focus of this project was to assist in develop programming and water safety resources. Deliverables provided to the organization include a 10-week swim curriculum for the Little Phins program, a new safety card with the Nashville Dolphins information, and list of schools and local swim teams for potential future partnerships.

The Power Of Connection: Evidence-Based Strategies For Supporting Learners With Autism At Illuminate Academy, Sloan E. Sylvan

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in partnership with Illuminate Academy, an alternative educational program serving children with autism and developmental disabilities. The project aimed to provide evidence-based support for the organization’s classroom strategies and improve communication of these approaches to families and staff. Key outcomes included the development of a parent-friendly, evidence-based overview of Illuminate Academy’s core strategies, highlighting their role in supporting regulation, engagement, and participation. A concise literature synthesis was created to reinforce these approaches, focusing on sensory processing, co-regulation, play, and participation. Additional contributions included observing a learner during a classroom transition and developing individualized supports …

Bridging Movement Science And Clinical Care: Advancing Evidence-Based Scoliosis Care Through Professional Education And Outreach Initiatives, Megan B. Tenery

OTD Capstone Projects

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with Spiral Spine Pilates (SSP), a Pilates studio specializing in scoliosis that serves clients from adolescents to older adults. SSP offers virtual and in-person private lessons, group classes, teacher training, and a scoliosis-focused retreat. These services are designed to educate individuals with scoliosis and movement practitioners on evidence-based, functional correction movements that support daily living. The primary objectives of this project were to expand SSP’s educational and community reach through the development of a new Pilates certification, an educational email series, a health and wellness podcast, and other outreach efforts. The primary …

Empowerment Of Patients Through Sexual Wellness Programming, Carly M. Busby

OTD Capstone Projects

Abstract:

This doctoral capstone project was completed in collaboration with Dr. Jenny Archer with Archer Physical Pelvic Floor Therapy. This project highlights empowerment of Dr. Archer and her team through administrative tasks and empowerment of clientele through education materials. The primary deliverable of my project is a six week ‘course,’ addressing pelvic pain through evidence-based therapy practices. Other deliverables include education materials that cover an expanse of pelvic floor and pregnancy related topics. The prominent goal of this capstone project was empowerment through education.

Advocating For Children And Youth With Special Healthcare Needs Through Development Of A Sustainable Ambassador Program At The Center For Courageous Kids.Pdf, Alexandria West

OTD Capstone Projects

Children and youth with special healthcare needs (CYSHCN) often benefit from community-based programs that promote participation, social engagement, and psychosocial well-being. The Center for Courageous Kids (CCK) is a nonprofit medical camp dedicated to providing empowering camp experiences for children with disabilities or lifelong illnesses and their families at no cost. During this doctoral capstone experience, a needs assessment identified limited structured university outreach, decreased volunteer awareness, and the need for improved long-term volunteer recruitment and advocacy efforts.

The purpose of this capstone project was to develop a sustainable ambassador program designed to increase community engagement, strengthen advocacy efforts, and …