Digital Commons Network^™

An Analysis Of The Extended Techniques In The Timpani Works Of Christopher Deane, Chase D. Gillett

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The timpani were first introduced to the orchestra in the 1700s, and composers immediately used the instruments in unique ways. To this day, timpani literature continues to experiment with new techniques to create diverse sounds. One such composer who created unique sounds for the instrument was Christopher Deane. Deane is one of the most influential composers of percussion literature whose works are frequently programmed on concerts and recitals. Throughout his career, he has received many commissions from across the United States, won awards for his compositions, and had numerous world premieres at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention. His use …

Lisa Cristiani: A Survey And Analysis Of Her Musical Travels Through The Russian Empire (1848-1853), Emilia González Dorantes

LSU Master's Theses

Information about French cellist Lisa Cristiani (1825–1853) and her travels through Imperial Russia has mainly reached us thanks to two articles in French periodicals published around the first decade since her death. These sources prioritized the journey itself, centering the narrative on her travels rather than on her musical activities. Recent scholarship on Cristiani has expanded our previously limited knowledge about her life. Scholars such as Hoffmann (2011) and Deserno (2018) have focused on biographical and feminist analysis, and DeVries (2014) has unveiled new documents from Russian sources. Nonetheless, a detailed examination of her musical performances within Imperial Russia has …

Leadership Practices To Influence Employee Satisfaction And Well-Being In The Behavioral Health Environment, Kandice Ferdon

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The increasing complexity and competitiveness of today’s health care system require innovative leadership approaches that support both high‑quality patient care and a healthy workforce. Although concerns about clinician burnout have grown, limited research has examined how leadership practices within behavioral health settings influence employee well‑being and satisfaction. This qualitative case study explored how behavioral health leaders shape workplace well‑being by integrating physical and psychological safety into daily practice. Methodological triangulation—combining survey data, organizational outcomes, and interview responses—strengthened the validity of the findings and provided a multidimensional understanding of leadership impact. Leaders emphasized that employee well‑being depends on both physical safety …

Cripping The Border – Acompañamiento As Access: An Ethnographic Case Study Of Transborder Youth With Disabilities, Marco O. Amaral

Dissertations

The U.S.-Mexico border is a historical, geopolitical site of intense militarization where colonial logics of "othering" converge to marginalize disabled transborder youth. While transborder studies have expanded, students with disabilities remain relegated to the "void" and contained by educational systems that prioritize surveillance over access. Grounded in Sepúlveda’s (2011) acompañamiento and Transborder DisCrit, this ethnographic case study examines the lived experiences of both students and their families who cross the border daily to attend school in the U.S. It frames these journeys not as mere commutes, but as acts of defiance within the broader disability rights movement.

As a teacher-activist, …

Senior Recital, Jonah Bancino

Honors Theses

This video recording showcases my solo viola recital at Western Michigan University. This performance fulfilled the senior recital requirements of the Irving S. Gilmore School of Music, as well as the honors thesis requirements of the Lee Honors College. The purpose of the recital was to demonstrate the skills I learned as a music performance student at Western. It showcased many of the pieces I worked on during my time there, including the prelude and fugue to J. S. Bach’s fifth cello suite, the first movement of Bela Bartok’s viola concerto, Max Bruch’s Romance, and a little known viola sonata …

Technical Director Of Sweeney Todd, Alexander Matthews

Honors Theses

My honors thesis focused on my work as the Technical Director for Sweeney Todd and the process of turning a scenic design into a safe, buildable, and functional production. Through this project, I explored how technical direction is not only about constructing scenery, but also about drafting, budgeting, problem-solving, and adapting when challenges arise. One of the most important moments in the process was a set change that happened several weeks into the build because of safety concerns, which forced me to rethink parts of the design and respond practically. I also included a CAD drawing of the full set …

The Effect Of Vestibular System Stimulation On Emotional Regulation In Children With Disabilities, Mickayla N. Coyle

Student Capstone Papers

This capstone project is a mixed-methods research study that aimed to identify the impact of vestibular system stimulation on emotional regulation in children with disabilities. Throughout this research study, swing use was used as vestibular stimulation to identify its effectiveness in improving emotional regulation in children with disabilities. The study was conducted over the course of six weeks in a school-based setting.  The results of this research study are indicative that using a swing as a vestibular input is an effective intervention to manage emotional regulation in children with disabilities. Utilization of linear swinging at the beginning of occupational therapy …

Occupational Therapy In Action: Enhancing Diabetes Awareness And Support In Rural Schools, Sierra Cook

Student Capstone Papers

The rising prevalence of type 2 diabetes among adolescents highlights the need for early prevention-focused interventions. This capstone project developed and implemented an occupation-based educational program for middle school students targeting body awareness, nutrition, movement, and stress management. The program consisted of five interactive workshops addressing energy awareness, meal planning, social and environmental influences on health, movement-based regulation strategies, and coping skills. Hands-on activities, including energy check-ins, meal logs, movement stations, and coping toolbox development, were used to promote engagement and support the development of healthy routines.

Assessing Walleye Recruitment Via Otc Marks And Temporal Sampling Changes In Smallmouth Bass Population Structure In Lake Mcconaughy, Nebraska, Robert D. Allison Iv

Biology Theses, Dissertations, and Student Creative Activity

Lake McConaughy is a socially and economically important reservoir managed to provide diverse, high-quality angling opportunities. Walleye are the most frequently targeted species, although Smallmouth Bass have increased in popularity in recent years due to improvements in abundance and size structure. Walleye have been stocked annually since 1989 to support the population and have been the focus of extensive research. In contrast, Smallmouth Bass have been present for over 80 years and are self-sustaining; however, their population has not been formally evaluated since introduction.

The first objective of this study was to develop an oxytetracycline (OTC) mark retention correction factor …

Exploring How Long-Term Residents Influence Environmental Policy Decisions In The Takushara Settlement In Abuja, Nigeria, Agbanusi Uchechukwu Jonathan

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Rapid urbanization of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has increasingly marginalized indigenous communities, creating a significant disconnect between top-down environmental governance and how it affects residents. Previous research has found that this land swap displaces indigenous stewards and erodes their traditional ecological knowledge, endangering local livelihoods, food security, and sustainable management of natural resources. The purpose of this narrative qualitative study was to explore how long-term residents perceive and experience their influence in environmental policy decisions through the lens of the social-ecological systems framework and the theory of resilience. This study examined the systematic exclusion of long-term residents of the …

Exploring The Perceptions Of Black Nurse Educators Regarding Antiracist Pedagogy In Nursing Education, Deborah Ann Stallworth

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Racism remains a persistent issue in nursing, prompting calls to create more inclusive educational environments and confront racial disparities. Guided by an intersectionality and critical realism framework, this generic qualitative study examined how Black nursing educators perceive antiracist pedagogy, how they implement it, and what they believe is needed to strengthen its adoption in nursing education. Twelve Black undergraduate nursing educators participated in in‑depth, one‑on‑one interviews. Thematic analysis generated four themes: (a) implementing antiracist pedagogy in the classroom; (b) challenges and resistance within school environments; (c) racial marginalization norms in nursing education, and (d) advocacy and vision for institutional reform …

Foster Parents' Experiences Faced With Older Foster Children During Covid-19, Tisha S. Nicholson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 virus was a new virus that caused a worldwide pandemic. There was not much information about what the virus was, what caused it, or how to stop its spread. Vulnerable populations such as those in foster care were especially affected because the foster children had no place to go. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of foster parents who had older foster children in their care during the COVID-19 pandemic. There was a lack of research specifically on foster parents and their personal lived experiences with the foster care system and foster …

Effects Of Velocity-Based Training On Muscular Performance In Middle-Aged And Older Adults, Bryson Hughes

Doctorate in Kinesiology

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of velocity-based training (VBT) on muscular power and strength in middle-aged adults. Thirteen participants (48.9 ± 9.0 years) completed an 8-week VBT intervention performed at peak power (PP) on the chest press (CP; n = 12) and leg press (LP; n = 11). Participants trained using their individualized load at peak power (LPP) and velocity at peak power (VPP). Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant time effects for CP PP (p < .001, ηp² = .661), 3-repetition maximum (3-RM) (p < .001, ηp² = .722), LPP (p < .001, ηp² = .643), as well as LP 3-RM (p < .001, ηp² = .836) and LPP (p < .001, ηp² = .509). Pairwise comparisons demonstrated significant differences across all time points for CP PP (p = .001–.013), CP 3-RM (p < .001–.003), CP LPP (p < .001–.048), and LP 3-RM (p < .001). LP LPP reached significance only from pre- to post-testing (p = .006). Friedman’s test also showed significant time effects for LP PP (p < .001, W = .917), with significant changes across all time points (p = .003–.004). No significant changes in VPP were observed across the intervention. This study provides an early examination of VBT performed at PP in middle-aged adults. Although findings are limited to the current sample, results demonstrate the potential efficacy of VBT at PP for improving muscular strength and power in this population. Future studies should report force and velocity intercepts and include comparative groups to better determine the practical significance of VBT in this demographic.

Evaluating Resistance Training Knowledge Among Secondary School Educators And Coaches: Development And Impact Of A Professional Development Program, Josh Redden

Doctorate in Kinesiology

Resistance training is a critical component of health-related fitness in secondary education, yet research has consistently demonstrated that physical education teachers and coaches lack sufficient content knowledge to effectively instruct and supervise these programs. This action research study evaluated resistance training content knowledge among physical education (PE) teachers, adapted physical education (APE) teachers, and sport coaches within a Louisiana school district and assessed the impact of a one-hour asynchronous professional development course delivered via school district email. Twenty-six participants completed pre- and post-assessments using a 20-item instrument developed through a modified Delphi process with an expert panel. Data were analyzed …

Machine Learning Based Models For Simulation And Analysis Of Bulk Earth Melt System, Abin Shakya

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Understanding the segregation of bulk Earth melt systems into metallic (core) and silicate (mantle) phases under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions is central to modeling Earth’s interior, yet relevant experimental and computational studies remain limited. This work develops a machine learning–based simulation pipeline that iteratively couples first-principles (quantum mechanical) calculations with neural network training to generate high-fidelity force fields. Using major-element Fe–Mg–Si–O melt systems, with and without H and N, as testbeds, we demonstrate that this framework enables large-scale molecular dynamics simulations at near first-principles accuracy. We further introduce a sequence of phase identification methods, progressing from statistical binning of elemental …

Bridging Traditions: A Study And Performance Of Chen Yi's Chamber And Vocal Works, Oufeifei Hu

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Chinese-American composer Chen Yi (b. 1953) is widely recognized for her distinctive integration of Chinese musical traditions and Western classical compositional techniques. Her music frequently incorporates elements of Chinese folk melodies, traditional musical idioms, and cultural aesthetics within a contemporary art-music framework. Despite her growing international reputation, detailed analytical studies of many of her individual works remain limited.

This study examines four selected works by Chen Yi—Chinese Ancient Dance, Meditation, Fisherman’s Song, and From Old Peking Folklore—from both analytical and performance perspectives. Through musical analysis, the study explores how Chen Yi incorporates Chinese musical elements and transforms them within modern …

Exploring Sequential Technical Practices Towards Skill Development And Musical Expression In Violin Performance And String Pedagogy Methods, Erin Kim

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation proposes the Erin Kim System, a pedagogical framework designed to support sequential technical development and musical expression in beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of violin performance. This system examines how structured technical progression, guided repertoire sequencing, and a nurturing learning environment with the teacher and parents can foster skill acquisition and long-term musical engagement among violin students. Musical enjoyment and inspiration serve as primary motivators for learning, particularly when students are encouraged to work toward performing aspirational repertoire such as the Sibelius Violin Concerto. By organizing repertoire and supplemental exercises in a clear step-by-step process, this system enables …

"Deep In The Trenches": A Multi-Perspective Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Of Student Mothers Navigating The Hidden Realities Of Postpartum Anxiety, Rhonda Harris

Theses and Dissertations

Despite availability of effective treatments women with postpartum anxiety (PPA) commonly go untreated because of barriers to care. Student mothers are a particularly vulnerable subgroup of women as they tend to be younger, are less likely to be married, and have lower incomes than non-student mothers. As anxiety rates in college women are higher than the general population and higher than college men, student mothers are at high risk of the adverse effects of untreated PPA. There is a paucity of existing literature about student mothers and mental health. The aim of the current study is to understand the help-seeking …

An Equity Analysis Of Battery Electric Vehicles During Evacuation Considering Social And Financial Disadvantage, Divyamitra Mishra

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The increasing share of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the transportation system is introducing new challenges to the emergency evacuation planning and management. During Hurricane Milton (2024), incidents involving BEVs, including battery fires, attributed to saltwater exposure risk, and advisories recommending relocation to higher ground, highlighted operational vulnerabilities unique to this technology. These emerging risks are likely to be experienced heterogeneously, as access to charging infrastructure, available resources, and evacuation flexibility varies across the population. This raises critical questions about how BEV-specific constraints interact with existing inequalities during evacuation. Motivated by this context, the dissertation investigated inequity in BEV evacuation …

Variability On M-Dwarf Stars And Its Effect On Exoplanet Detection, Aylin Garcia Soto

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Understanding stellar magnetic activity is crucial for exoplanet research: activity can mask signatures from exoplanet detection and characterization, and impact planetary habitability. This is particularly important for M dwarf stars, which are highly magnetically active, displaying spectroscopic and photometric signatures of flares and rotational variability. In this thesis, I will present two complementary perspectives on M dwarf magnetic activity. First, I will discuss a study of short-term variability. I made new ground-based observations of 77 M dwarfs and tested the connection between chromospheric emission and photometric variability. I find a weak positive correlation between H$\alpha$ luminosity (tracing magnetic heating) and …

Diffeomorphisms In Quantum Black Hole Interiors, Ian William Bornhoeft

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

We begin with an introduction to canonical Loop Quantum Gravity. We then introduce a notion of residual diffeomorphism covariance in quantum Kantowski–Sachs (KS), describing the interior of a Schwarzschild black hole. We solve for the family of Hamiltonian constraint operators satisfying an associated covariance condition, as well as parity invariance, preservation of the Bohr Hilbert space of Loop Quantum KS and a correct (naive) classical limit. We further explore imposing minimality of the number of momentum shift terms, and compare the solution with other Hamiltonian constraints proposed for Loop Quantum KS in the literature. In particular, we discuss a lapse …

Before The War: The Impact Of Minority Stress On Palestinian Muslim Women In The United States, Rimah Jaber

Education Student Dissertations

This study explored the lived experiences of first- and second-generation Palestinian Muslim women (PMW) living in the US. Participants were 11 women between the ages of 20 and 33 from various regions across the country. The methodology included a phenomenological approach within a constructivist–interpretivist paradigm to conduct one-on-one, semistructured interviews. Participants shared their stories during online interviews, which were recorded and transcribed before data analysis. Guided by the embodied intersectionality framework and minority stress theory, the analysis yielded two superordinate themes with two subthemes each: (a) perceived discrimination (subthemes: stressors of living in the diaspora and erasure and disclosure of …

Onboarding And Resource Guide Development At Lipscomb University Ideal Program, Folasade S. Alalade

OTD Capstone Projects

The Lipscomb IDEAL program is a two-year inclusive postsecondary program that supports young adults with intellectual disabilities in areas such as education, employment, and independent living. Following the IDEAL program, students have the opportunity to continue their postsecondary experience through the Advanced Program (AP), where they further develop skills. This capstone project focused on creating onboarding materials for students and families transitioning from the IDEAL program to the AP in order to better support and prepare them for this next phase. The second component of the project involved researching assistive technology (AT) and artificial intelligence (AI) tools beneficial to this …

Retaining Teachers In High-Need Schools, Myram Chapman Brady

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 Myram Chapman Brady on April 9, 2026.

Narrative Strategies In Presidential Environmental Policymaking: An Examination Of The Executive Impacts Of Presidential Narratives, Gorgin Mansourian

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

In this dissertation, I examine how U.S. presidents employ narrative strategies to shape environmental policymaking through both rhetorical and institutional mechanisms. Specifically, I investigate how Presidents Donald J. Trump and Joseph R. Biden constructed, communicated, and institutionalized environmental narratives during their first terms, highlighting the relationship between presidential narratives and executive orders. Using the Narrative Policy Framework (NPF) and Richard Neustadt’s Presidential Power Theory (PPT), this study conceptualizes presidential narratives as both rhetorical tools and instruments of persuasion within institutional contexts. This synthesis advances the NPF by highlighting the role of institutional positions on narrative credibility, by emphasizing the roles …

Exploring The Use Of Touch In Dance/Movement Therapy: A Literature Review, Alexis Pungitore

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review explores how touch influences the dance/movement therapy (DMT) process. As touch in DMT appears underexplored, the review draws extensively on related fields to inform DMT practice regarding touch. Drawing on interdisciplinary research and professional codes of ethics, it synthesizes theoretical and empirical findings on the regulatory and relational functions of touch, including co-regulation, attachment, interoception, and connectedness. Ethical considerations, particularly informed consent, boundaries, power dynamics, trauma- informed care, and cultural responsiveness, are emphasized. Findings from the collected data suggest that intentional, consensual, and clinically attuned touch can support emotional regulation and relational growth, while underscoring the need …

Connectivity, Classroom, And Contagion: An Ecological Analysis Of Testing Availability, Sex Education, And Sti Rates In The Upper Midwest, Macey M. Boerhave

Honors Thesis

Rural and frontier communities in the Upper Midwest face unique challenges that shape how young people access sexual health information and testing. While sexually transmitted infection (STI) rates continue to rise nationally, less is known about how sexual health education, digital access, and geographic distance influence these trends at a county level. This study examines the relationship between broadband internet access rates, poverty rates, proximity to free or low-cost STI testing sites, and county-level STI rates among individuals aged 15-24 in selected counties across South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska. Using an ecological, cross-sectional design, county-level STI surveillance …

Effects Of A Major Disruption On Mental Health Of Pregnant Women In South Carolina, Lizmarie Maldonado

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Mental health conditions are a leading cause of death among pregnant and postpartum women, and untreated mental health conditions are associated with adverse maternal and birth outcomes. Major disruptions, such as pandemics, hurricanes, or wildfires, create unprecedented challenges and may impose additional stressors during an already vulnerable time. Community or medical care disruptions during such events may lead to adverse health outcomes. This dissertation seeks to characterize the impact of a recent major disruption on mental health outcomes among pregnant women using administrative claims data for all births in South Carolina in 2019 and 2020. By leveraging unique data sources, …

Suena Como Nosotros: A Spanish-English Storybook For Growing Voices, Stephanie Czajka

Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this project is to address the lack of speech therapy resources available to bilingual Spanish-English-speaking children between the ages of four to six. It will target common speech and language difficulties observed in children during the critical language development period, between the ages of four and six. This book will provide an accessible, culturally relevant speech therapy resource that can be used in the comfort of the home. Through the creation of this book, equity in healthcare access will be promoted, and bilingual pride and identity will be supported. The objectives of this project include designing and …

A Comparative Analysis Of Professional Development Perceptions Among Baby Boomer, Generation X, Millennial And Generation Z Teachers, Lynsey R. Reynolds

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

ABSTRACT

A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PERCEPTIONS AMONG BABY BOOMER, GENERATION X,

MILLENNIAL AND GENERATION Z TEACHERS

Lynsey Ratzlaff Reynolds

This quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional survey study examined differences in perceptions of professional development among Baby Boomer, Generation X, Millennial, and Generation Z secondary teachers employed in one northwest Arkansas school district. Using the researcher-developed Teacher Professional Development Perceptions Survey, data were collected from N = 145 certified secondary teachers in grades 6–12 during February 2026. Four research questions guided the study, each concerning a distinct construct: perceived relevance of professional development to instructional practice, perceived efficiency of professional development …