Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Concept Of Self-Creativity Through The Validation Of A New Survey Measure, Alexandra Danae Varela

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to validate a newly constructed instrument, the Creativity Assessment for the Malleability of Possible Selves (CAMPS) and, through that process, operationally define the newly developed construct of self-creativity. This dissertation utilizes three separate studies to validate the CAMPS and operationally define self-creativity, including samples intended to represent the general population (n = 199), professional counselors (n = 133), and exemplars of self-creativity (n = 13). Study 1 utilized an exploratory factor analysis for the initial item reduction and factor structure exploration, followed by testing convergent and discriminant validity utilizing established assessments …

The Challenge Of Enhancement & Adaptability In Healthcare: An Ethical Framework For Organizations, Gary Edwards

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This work defends enhancements that aim at promoting adaptability and formulates a framework for how healthcare organizations can cope with these sorts of enhancements. It begins by defending explicit approaches to defining enhancements and sketches a tripartite conception of enhancements dependent on well-being, social, and perception approaches. After assessing several major arguments for and against enhancement, it defends an adaptability justification for enhancements. In light of this justification, the remaining sections explore the adaptability argument’s implications for healthcare, justify an organizational approach for dealing with these implications, and finally formulate an organizational ethics framework for coping with the adaptability argument’s …

Brief Exposure To Images Of Friends Via Social Media Leads To Higher Momentary Risk For Eating Psychopathology Among College Women Who Internalize The Thin Ideal, Erin Elizabeth Murtha-Berg

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the causal effects of brief exposure to images of friends via social media on state body image satisfaction and momentary desires to engage in weight-loss behaviors among college women and the moderating influence of trait thin-ideal internalization, appearance comparison, body satisfaction, and eating psychopathology on these effects. This was a 2-phase study. Participants (N=183) completed baseline measures online before attending a laboratory appointment. During the laboratory appointment, participants completed an exercise to identify the one similar-aged, female Facebook friend with whom they engaged in the most photo-related activity recently. Participants completed measures of state body image satisfaction …

Using The Expectancy-Value Theory To Understand Why Women Persist Or Leave Collegiate Stem Programs: A Mixed Methods Study, Joseph Appianing

Theses and Dissertations

Concerns have been raised about the ability of the U.S. to maintain its global technological competitive advantage in the future because of American college students’ attitudes—particularly women—toward STEM programs and careers (Chen, 2013; Ehrenberg, 2010; Palmer & Wood, 2013). Many female students graduate from high school academically well-prepared to pursue STEM majors, and many choose to pursue STEM majors in college, yet many also leave those majors (Chen, 2015; Hill, Corbett, & Rose, 2010). Theories such as perceived value and expectations for success (Eccles et al., 1983), self-efficacy (Bandura, 1977, 1986), and self-determination (Deci & Ryan, 1985) have been advanced …

Variations In Video Game Play Habits And Beliefs Over Time, John Adam Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

Psychological research about the consequences of playing video games has grown exponentially, correlating to the exponential growth of the video game industry. In the past decade, a major impetus has related to the concept of video game addiction, pathological gaming, or Internet Gaming Disorder. While the presence of this problem is widely accepted and there is growing knowledge about the factors contributing to its development and perpetuation, there is minimal research speaking to intervention. The primary purpose of the present study was to identify a potential pathway to educate members of the gaming community about pathological gaming, with the hope …

Reading And Play Frequency In The Early Head Start Program On Parent And Child Outcomes, Zachary Flaten

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the channels that Early Head Start (EHS) influences cognitive development in toddlers and successful parenting skills. I use a fixed effects model, incorporating individual fixed effects and time fixed effects, with longitudinal panel data from the EHS Research and Evaluation Project. By employing these methods and running separate regressions on a pooled, control and treated group, I find that when parents nightly read to their child, Bayley Mental Development Index (MDI) and Home Observation for Measurement of Environment (HOME) scores increase. When parents engage in play interactions with their child, I uncover a positive influence on child …

Assessment Of Climate Change And Agricultural Land Use Change On Streamflow Input To Devils Lake: A Case Study Of The Mauvais Coulee Sub-Basin, Courtney Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

Since 1993, Devils Lake in North Dakota has experienced a prolonged rise in lake level and flooding of the lake’s neighboring areas within the closed basin system. Understanding the relative contribution of climate change and land use change is needed to explain the historical rise in lake level, and to evaluate the potential impact of anthropogenic climate change upon future lake conditions and management. Four methodologies were considered to examine the relative contribution of climatic and human landscape drivers to streamflow variations: statistical, ecohydrologic, physically-based modeling, and elasticity of streamflow; for this study, ecohydrologic and climate elasticity were selected. Agricultural …

Importance Of Macroeconomic Stability To Developed Nations, Jeffrey Brian Leeson

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the importance of macroeconomic stability to economic growth of developed nations. For over a decade, many developed nations have experienced slower gross domestic product growth as well as slower gross domestic product per capita growth. Meanwhile, recently developed economies, such as the high-performing East Asian economies, have experienced far higher per capita growth rates. Although this is in line with Solow’s (1956) growth model predicting conditional convergence and other researchers attributing the slowdown to sectoral shifts, this offers little solace to the citizens of those developed nations witnessing slower growth. The purpose of this research is to …

Effect Of Nanomaterials On Binder And Mix Performance, Bishal Karki

Theses and Dissertations

Nanotechnology has been increasingly used in asphalt modification for its remarkable effect in improving the binder and mix performance. Rheological properties of binder play major roles in rutting, fatigue cracking and low-temperature cracking resistance of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) pavement. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Nanomaterials (NMs) on the rheological characteristics of asphalt binders and rutting and cracking resistance of HMA mixes. NMs, Nanoclay and Nanoalumina, were mixed separately into Performance Grade (PG) 58-28 and 64-28 asphalt binder at control (0% NM), 1, 5 and 7% by binder weight. Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO) and Pressure …

Moving Towards Raising Consciousness: An Inquiry Into How Preservice Teachers Envision Classroom Management, Courtney Caye Lalonde

Theses and Dissertations

Effective classroom management is critical in the creation of learning environments that foster academic success for all students. Preservice teachers must develop an awareness and understanding of all aspects of classroom management and their relation to the two main classroom management approaches: the discipline based approach and the relationship based approach. Furthermore, preservice teachers must have opportunities for authentic practice through structured field experience. This study examines a course restructuring process that was intended to improve classroom management course content. The conceptual framework for this study is based on Martin and Baldwin’s (1994) construct of three broad dimensions of classroom …

The Effects Of Active Vs Passive Recovery On Subsequent Bouts Of High Intensity Performance In Recreational Adult Runners, Matthew Mccreary

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Runners can perform training runs designed to elicit desired adaptations for future competition. When performed at a high-intensity, these running bouts will lead to fatigue that needs to be diminished to sustain the desired workload for the training session. Performing an active recovery or remaining passive are two methods that runners could use.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of active vs passive recovery on a subsequent running bout of 400 meters in recreational adult runners. It was hypothesized that the active recovery condition would maintain performance better than passive recovery.

Methods: A crossover …

The Problem-Solving Approach Of Health And Education Professionals Who Have Experience In The Arts As An Artist And Personal Experience In Trauma, Chanel Myers

Theses and Dissertations

Clients face many different obstacles within healthcare and education settings. Professionals in health and education fields are in a position to be a problem-solving resource to clients, students, and patients. The subset of professionals being examined are problem-solving professionals, who work with clients/students/patients, within the health and education fields, who self-identify as an artist, and also have experienced trauma with chronic struggling. How do problem-solving professionals in health and education fields who self-identify as an artist and have experienced trauma with chronic struggling approach problem-solving in their profession? This study used qualitative methods and interviewed ten participants. This study found …

Athletic Trainers Describe Their Use Of Imagery: What, Where, When, And Why, Rachel Phelps

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: Conduct an in-depth exploration of imagery use by ATs by investigating if ATs use imagery and what, where, when, and why they image.

Design: Qualitative design.

Setting: Online questionnaire.

Participants: 219 ATs (94 females, 124 males, 1 unknown) representing 6 different position titles.

Main Outcome Measure: Modified Imagery Use by Athletic Trainers Questionnaire.

Results: ATs believed instructors should be the ones to teach them how to use imagery. Results showed that 81% of the sample used imagery but 19% did not use imagery for a variety of reasons (i.e., time, lack of education). Images used by ATs fell into …

An Investigation Of The Impact Of Enso On Regional Climate Over The Northern Great Plains, Akila Sampath

Theses and Dissertations

Using ground-based observations, as well as reanalysis and Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5) data, the long-term changes in precipitation and surface temperature are studied for the Northern Great Plains (NGP) region for the period of 1965-2005. Significant positive trends of ~1-2 °C/41 years in annual mean temperature are found across North Dakota and Minnesota. This study also suggests that the eastern part of the NGP region is wetter than the western part of the NGP, for the past 41 years. In addition, the spatial-temporal changes of precipitation and temperature of the region, as well as their linkages to …

A Comparison Of Starting Techniques Out Of An Athletic Stance Position, Aaron Schwenzfeier Schwenzfeier

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to compare the false step (FS) to the straight out step (SOS) out of a parallel athletic stance (PAS) in Division I college athletes. 30 Division I college athletes from football, baseball, softball, and volleyball performed three repetitions each of the FS and SOS. Each trial was timed at 5 and 10 yards using the TC Brower Timing System as well filmed from two vantage points for kinematic data collection using the Ariel Performance Analysis System (APAS). From this, the velocity of the center of mass (VCM), projection angle of the center of mass …

Indigenous Knowledge System And Decolonizing Methodology Interwoven Into Higher Education Experiences: Autoethnography, Franklin Sage

Theses and Dissertations

What ways can Indigenous Knowledge and Diné Knowledge Systems be useful in autoethnography doctoral research? This dissertation uses Indigenous Research Methodology and autoethnography to make use of storytelling from the Navajo Creation Story and Navajo Circular Model to examine the educational experiences of Native Americans in higher education. A Navajo Circular Model was developed to provide a visual guide of the Indigenous Research process utilizing various Navajo traditional elements. This dissertation highlights federal policies that changed the course of Native American education. The results are in autoethnography that reveals how cultural identity, names, dislocation from home, financial barriers and racism …

Cameroonian Immigrants Switching From Non-Stem To Stem-And-Related Fields In The United States, Delphine Ngum Tamukong

Theses and Dissertations

Recent studies on STEM education in the United States (U.S.) have largely focused on such issues as the ever increasing need for more STEM workers, STEM attrition/retention, the gender gap in STEM, encouraging more STEM enrollment both at college and post-graduate levels, and the use of modern technology to facilitate STEM education. Other studies have considered the impact of immigrants on STEM education in the U.S. and on the U.S. economy in terms of either creating or filling STEM jobs. Many of those studies underscore the importance of immigrants in boosting the high skilled, much needed, STEM labor force and …

Are Firearms Causing An Increase In Gun Crimes? A Granger Causality Test Of Dallas' Street Gun Arsenal, Dustin Dean Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

From 1980 to 1992, Dallas, Texas saw an increase in both gun violence and the number of firearms. Nine firearm measures that define Dallas, Texas’ street gun arsenal along with two gun violence measures are used to test whether firearms are causing an increase in gun violence or gun violence is causing an increase in firearms. By estimating vector autoregressions and employing Granger causality tests on one firearm measure and one gun violence measure, the result is that the rising number of homicides committed with a gun are causing an increase in the total number of firearms. There is little …

On The Development Of Novel Multifunctional Max Reinforced Metals (Mrms) Matrix Composites, Faisal Ahmed Alanazi

Theses and Dissertations

This work illustrates the synthesis and characterization of novel MAX reinforced metals (MRMs) composites. These composites were tested for their mechanical and tribological performance in ambient temperature. Synthesis and characterization of Bi-Ti3SiC2 and Ag-Ti3SiC2 was studied in Chapter 2. Both composites showed an enhancement in their mechanical and tribological behavior. For example, the addition of 20% Ti3SiC2 decreased the wear rate (WR) by ~12 times in Ag and ~33 times in Bi comparing with the pristine metal. In Chapter 3, Bi-Cr2AlC composites were studied and results had been compared to Bi-Ti3SiC2 composites. The addition of 10 vol% Cr2AlC was able …

Healthcare Providers’ Perceptions Of Barriers And Facilitators To Making A Recommendation To Screen For Colorectal Cancer, Jesse Tran

Theses and Dissertations

Background. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most commonly diagnosed type of cancer in North Dakota. It also ranks second in late-stage diagnosis among all cancers. High quality screening tests such as colonoscopy have shown to reduce CRC incidence significantly, but screening rates in North Dakota remain low. The literature is consistent in that a recommendation by a healthcare provider is the most influential factor in a patient’s decision to screen.

Purpose. The purpose of this dissertation was to understand how healthcare providers perceive the barriers and facilitators that affect their decision to make CRC screening recommendations to patients. Identifying …

A Comprehensive Reservoir Characterization Of The Bakken Formation: Blue Buttes Field, Williston Basin, Alan Alexeyev

Theses and Dissertations

The Bakken Formation is an unconventional reservoir in North Dakota’s Williston Basin. A complex lithology of the producing formation requires a better understanding of its rock properties and mineralogy, as well as further analysis such as geologic modelling and reservoir simulation. It is important to analyze its properties to manage production efficiently.

The work started with analyzing petrophysical properties of the Middle Bakken. It included porosity, permeability, water saturation, shale volume, and lithology. Individual logs were obtained from a database and then run through well logging software to obtain the properties. Available core samples were analyzed using XRD. Construction of …

Atomic-Level Structural Studies Of Rare-Earth Doped Sodium Phosphate Glasses Using High Energy X-Ray Diffraction And Complementary Techniques, Faisal Amir

Theses and Dissertations

The atomic-scale structure of a series of (〖RE〗_2 O_3 )_x (〖Na〗_2 O)_y (P_2 O_5 )_(1-x-y) glasses (RE = Pr, Nd, Er) where has been characterized by high-energy X-ray diffraction technique (HEXRD). In addition, differential thermal analysis (DTA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and absorption and emission spectroscopy in visible and near IR ranges have been used as supplementary tools to validate structural features obtained from HEXRD techniques.Structural features such as inter-atomic distances and coordination numbers and their dependence on the concentration of 〖RE〗_2 O_3 have been obtained by analyzing pair distribution functions (PDF) extracted from diffraction data.

Coordination numbers for …

The Prediction Of Nonmedical Prescription Stimulant Use In College Students, Danielle Lynn Beyer

Theses and Dissertations

The use of prescription stimulant medications, such as Ritalin and Adderall, has increased dramatically over the past two decades (Zuvekas & Vitiello, 2014). Particularly concerning to public health officials has been the escalation of college students who report nonmedical prescription stimulant use (NPS). Studies have identified cognitive enhancement (i.e., increased concentration, etc.) as the primary motive for college students to engage in NPS (DeSantis et al, 2011; Smith & Farah, 2011). Additional findings suggest individuals involved with Greek organizations and/or individuals who maintain lower cumulative grade point averages (GPA) report significantly higher rates of NPS than Non-Greek and/or higher GPA …

Determination Of Lignin Degradation Products By Gc-Ms And Thermal Carbon Analysis (Tca), Jan Bilek

Theses and Dissertations

A novel analysis method of lignin and its degradation products was developed based primarily on thermal desorption and pyrolysis coupled with carbon quantification and speciation. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a traditional method for characterization of the volatile product fraction, however the volatile (thermal desorption) fraction usually contributes less than 10%wt. of the overall product yield. The unique properties of thermal carbon analysis (TCA) allow not only for the analysis of the thermal desorption fraction (200–300 у), which may further be compared to the GC-MS results, but also for the analysis of higher molecular weight oligomers evolving at pyrolytic temperatures …

A Phenomenological Study Of Bullying Experienced By Graduate Students And Faculty Through The Lens Of Power, Anne Bodensteiner

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of graduate students and faculty members who experienced bullying as a result of their role in higher education. Phenomenological exploration of this topic involved interviews with 14 participants; seven graduate students and seven faculty members. Power as described by Foucault (1994) was used as theoretical framework for this research. Findings from the study revealed institutions of higher education exploit power through differentiation, institutionalization, instrumental modes, types of objectives, and rationalization. Age, gender, life experiences, and positional rank were differentials found between the subject and aggressor. Institutionalization was expressed through …

Preliminary Design And Economics Of Biorefinery Schemes Based On The Noncatalytic Cracking Of Triglyceride Oils, Shelby Amsley-Benzie

Theses and Dissertations

Recent years have seen an increased demand for renewable transportation fuels. First generation biofuels were the first response to this increased demand, but they are physically and chemically different from their petroleum counterparts. These major differences have motivated the development of processes that are capable of producing drop-in compatible biofuels. These drop-in fuels are engine ready, and have essentially the same properties as their petroleum equivalents. The development of second generation fuels include cellulose-derived fuels, lignin-derived fuels, direct photosynthetic derivatives, lipid-derived fuels, and feedstock-flexible bioconversion processes. The focus of this thesis is lipid-derived drop-in ready fuels.

One of the new …

Intergenerational Effects Of Embryonic Cocaine Exposure In Zebrafish, Cody Adam Boyle

Theses and Dissertations

Cocaine addiction has both genetic and environmentally driven components. Relatively recently several groups have suggested that epigenetic regulation of gene expression might be the mechanism linking environmental influence and inheritance in drug addiction. We have shown previously that embryonic cocaine exposure increases physiological and behavioral sensitivity to the drug in longitudinal adults. In this study, we provide evidence that the effects of embryonic pre-exposure to cocaine are intergenerational in zebrafish. In addition, we show how gene expression in the zebrafish telencephalon, which includes the teleost equivalent of the nucleus accumbens, changes during acute cocaine treatment during behavioral testing. These experiments …

Geophysical Analysis Of The Paleogeothermal Gradient And Heat Flow In The Williston Basin, Nd, Daniel Burke Brunson

Theses and Dissertations

Past researchers have suggested that elevated heat flow once existed in the Williston Basin during the Eocene Epoch or younger time frame, based on petroleum maturity indices data. Further, they have argued that those attempting to computationally model the region have incorrectly assumed constant heat flow through time. The present work attempts to address the different positions taken by updating geophysical modeling evidence concerning heat flow in the Williston Basin in which paleogeothermal conditions are variable over geologic time. After conducting the investigation, present research demonstrates that elevated heat flow may have existed in the Williston Basin in the geologic …

Biodegradation And Biomodification Of Lignocellulose With A Main Focus On Lignin, Ivana Brzonova

Theses and Dissertations

Lignin is the second most abundant biopolymer, and the first most abundant source of phenolic structures, on Earth. Recent research has focused on lignin monomers as replacements for phenolic monomers derived from nonrenewable resources. Biological decomposition and conversion may be one way to accomplish this objective. In this study, the effects of two basidiomycetous fungi (Coriolus versicolor and Trametes gallica) and two actinobacteria strains (Microbacterium sp. and Streptomyces sp.) and their combination on lignocellulose (kenaf) decomposition was evaluated.

The results showed that after 8 weeks of incubation up to 34 wt. % of the kenaf biomass was degraded, and the …

Mechanisms Of Dopaminergic, Histaminergic, And Glutamatergic Neuromodulation Within The Medial Entorhinal Cortex, Nicholas Ian Cilz

Theses and Dissertations

The medial entorhinal cortex (MEC) is a critical region for both limbic functions as well as learning and memory. In addition to these normal processes, the MEC is also implicated in several disorders including epilepsy, Alzheimer’s disease, and several neuropsychiatric disorders. The MEC’s function and role in various disorders is intimately related to its underlying cellular activity. The primary neuronal cell types in this region consist of glutamatergic principle cells and GABAergic local inhibitory interneurons. This dissertation consists of three aims related to the neuromodulation of these cells located in the superficial layers of the MEC—the primary input source to …