Digital Commons Network^™

Development And Validation Of The Internalized Classism Scale For Poor And Working Class In The United States, Aleska Randa Hagan

Theses and Dissertations

The poor and working class are largely overlooked or ignored across many aspects of U.S society including public policy, societal structure, representation in media, and even in the realm of psychological research (Lott, 2002; Smith, 2005). Furthermore, of the scanty representations and descriptions of the poor and working class that are available, most are derived from oppressive classist views and negative stereotypes (Smith, 2010). Classism pervades the social structure of the United States. Classist beliefs and experiences of classism are internalized by all members of society to some degree. Working class and poor people who experience internalized classism are likely …

Generation Of An Accurate, Metric Spatial Database Of A Large Multi Storied Building, Ahmad Jarjis Hasan

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents the development of a novel method to generate an accurate, metric spatial database of a large multi storied building during construction. The algorithm uses the 3D CAD model of the building and the video of the structure captured by an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The spatial database is then used to perform several inspection procedures such as, metric data analysis, spatial query for images, visualization through 3D textured model. The video is processed using a simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) system. SLAM generates a sparse 3D map of the environment. Our algorithm registers the 3D map with …

Special And General Education Partners Co-Teaching Through The Structural Lens Of Complexity Theory, Shirley Ann Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Inclusive education is one of the most complex and demanding reforms in schools today. How school systems are structured may account for the many difficulties schools are having in strengthening, sustaining, and expanding inclusive education. Co-teaching is an instructional delivery method that offers a promising practice towards successful inclusive education. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the perspectives of co-teachers actively engaged in expanding the practice of co-teaching to help leaders strengthen, sustain, and expand effective inclusive education for students with disabilities.

Complexity theory provided the theoretical framework to explore how the co-teachers interacted and self-organized when …

Study Of Two-Phase And Single-Phase Flow Behavior In Channels Of Sudden Area Change Using Experimental And Computational Approach, Ashish Pramod Kotwal

Theses and Dissertations

It is well recognized in continuum mechanics that the theoretical origination for single-phase flows fundamentally based on the beginning of field equations paraphrasing the conservation laws of mass, momentum, and energy. These equations are accompanied by the appropriate constitutive associations for thermodynamic state and energy transfer, which specify the thermodynamic and transport of a specific fundamental material. Nevertheless, the multi-phase flows equations derivation is, in general, considerably more convoluted than for single-phase flows. This is predominantly due to the presence of significant discontinuities of the fluid properties through the interfaces and complicated flow characteristics approximating the interfaces, separating the individual …

Contextual Factors Related To Stereotype Threat And Student Success In Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Education: A Mixed Methods Study, Lindsey Leker

Theses and Dissertations

Stereotype threat is a widely researched phenomenon shown to impact performance in testing and evaluation situations (Katz, Roberts, & Robinson, 1965; Steele & Aronson, 1995). When related to gender, stereotype threat can lead women to score lower than men on standardized math exams (Spencer, Steele, & Quinn, 1999). Stereotype threat may be one reason women have lower enrollment in most science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors, hold a smaller number of STEM careers than men, and have a higher attrition rate in STEM professions (Hill, Corbet, & Rose, 2010; Picho & Brown 2011; Sorby & Baartmans, 2000). Most research …

Rotational Study Of Ambiguous Taxonomic Type Asteroids, Tyler Linder

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers have been categorizing asteroids by color for decades in an attempt to better understand asteroid composition and potential links to the meteorite population. However, only recently through large data collection surveys like the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) has the asteroid population as a whole been studied. This research will look at a subset of asteroids with the highest reflectivity differences as reported by Carvano et al. (2010) in order to answer the question: Can visible wavelength ambiguous taxonomic asteroid types be an indicator of a non-homogeneous surface?

This research studied asteroid 2453 (Wabash) in great detailed with visible …

Validating Precipitation Phase Measurements From Dual-Frequency Precipitation Radar On Gpm Core Observatory Satellite, Benjamin Lott

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project is to validate precipitation measurements from the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory (GPM-CO) satellite. The GPM-CO satellite is being used to detect falling rain and snow. Being able to detect rain builds off the success of the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM), which provided reasonable rainfall estimates when compared to ground-based radars. Detecting falling snow was a key GPM-CO requirement that was to be met within three years the satellite’s launch date of 27 February 2014. In this project, ground observations from Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) and Automated Weather Observing Station (AWOS) was …

Dual-Detachment: The Plight Of Young Black Males Alienated From Work And School, Tšooane Molapo

Theses and Dissertations

In looking at the plight of young Black males who drop out of school or leave school without adequate skills to compete in the local and global labor markets, scholarship has overemphasized the likelihood of this population’s entrance into the juvenile justice system. Hence, many studies of these males have concentrated on their schooling experiences in the school-to-prison pipeline. While of crucial importance, prison is not the only danger for these young men. In time, some young Black males do end up in the juvenile justice system, but some remain stuck between school and employment. I term this “dual-detachment”—youth neither …

Residual Deficits Observed In Athletes Following Concussion: Combined Eeg And Cognitive Study, Tamanna Tabassum Khan Munia

Theses and Dissertations

The neurocognitive sequelae of a sport-related concussion and its management are poorly defined. Emerging evidence suggests that the residual deficits can persist one year or more following a brain injury. Detecting and quantifying the residual deficits are vital in making a decision about the treatment plan and may prevent further damage. For example, improper return to play (RTP) decisions in sports such as football have proven to be associated with the further chance of recurring injury, long-term neurophysiological impairments, and worsening of brain functional activity.

The reliability of traditional cognitive assessment tools is debatable, and thus attention has turned to …

Young Children's Articulations Of Their Metacognitive Processing During Play, Dawnita S. Nilles

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative research study was to hear young children’s descriptions of their metacognitive processes. Research has shown that play is the foundation of a child’s learning and numerous studies show that play affects all areas of a child’s development. Despite this, at the time of this study, there appeared to be a scarcity of published literature in which young children were interviewed about the metacognitive processes they use while playing. Children have been found to describe their thinking through non-verbal cues. They also have been able to articulate their knowledge and understanding, analyze, and evaluate the …

Oil Generation Rate Index Using Arrhenius Equation For Bakken Formation, Chioma Judith Onwumelu

Theses and Dissertations

Oil generation rate index is important in considering oil well performance. An oil generation rate index was estimated for ten wells in the Bakken Formation in the North Dakota portion of the Williston Basin. Activation energies consistent with a fixed frequency factor (1x10-14/sec) and estimates of the current temperature within the Bakken Formation were used to calculate a reaction rate. The reaction rate was converted into a generation rate index by multiplying the reaction rate by the mass of crackable kerogen derived from programmed pyrolysis (SRA) S2 analyses and bulk density logs. The programmed pyrolysis temperature of 435у, production index …

Pore-Size Distributions From Nuclear Magnetic Resonance And Corresponding Hydrocarbon Saturations In The Devonian Three Forks Formation, Williston Basin, North Dakota, Kyle James Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

Pore-size distributions of four lithofacies from the Three Forks Formation were obtained using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The upper Three Forks was divided into three lithofacies with the fourth coming from the uppermost section of the middle Three Forks. In ascending order the lithofacies studied were: 1) massive green to greenish-gray mudstone, 2) highly deformed, interlaminated pinkish-tan silty dolostone and green to greenish-gray mudstone, 3) thinly laminated pinkish-tan silty dolostone and 4) interlaminated green to greenish-gray mudstone and pinkish-tan silty dolostone.

Core samples (one sample per lithofacies) of various sizes and shapes were selected for six western North Dakota wells. …

Stigma And Restoration Of Civil Rights To Felons, Kimberly Paige Pithey

Theses and Dissertations

Millions of people in the United States are banned from basic civil rights including participation in voting, jury duty, applying for government assistance, and owning a firearm because they have had a felony conviction. There is limited research on attitudes regarding the restoration of civil rights to felons. This thesis uses Goffman’s theory of stigma to examine whether public support for the restoration of rights to felons is associated with knowledge of felony convictions and whether an individual knows someone with a felony conviction. This study used an online survey of college undergraduates (N = 362) to explore two hypotheses …

Developmental Factors And Maladjustment Indicators Of Specific Sexual Interests, Victoria Charlotte Mary-Rose Pocknell

Theses and Dissertations

Human sexual expression appears to be freer to vary past the need to procreate. This study explores the variability in the cues that elicit sexual arousal in the general population. It aims to better understand the developmental factors and negative outcomes of having a specific sexual interest. A sample (N = 1069) was gathered using Amazon’s Mechanical Turk in which participants indicated sexual interests based on themes: Age, Physical Appearance, Clothing, Power, Risk, and Extrapersonal. The results suggest significant effects of sex, age, and hypersexuality on sexual interests. Therefore, analyses were run separately for men and women and age and …

Effect Of Bio-Binders On Binder And Mix Properties With High Rap Content, Rajib Chandra Saha

Theses and Dissertations

The use of Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) has significantly increased in construction and rehabilitation of flexible pavements to ensure proper utilization of limited natural resources. Recycling also provides a greater environmental benefits and energy conservations. It saves the lands from being the dumping site, conserves energy, and reduces the emission of greenhouse gases. But high RAP in the HMA mix increases the stiffness and may result in cracking. Bio-binders could reduce the stiffness of binder and mixes with high RAP content. Two oils, namely Waste Cooking Oil (WCO), and Soy Oil are potential sources of bio-binder that are abundant and …

Quantification Of Lignin Hydroxyl Containing Functional Groups Via 31p{1h} Nmr Spectroscopy And Synthesis Of Lignin Degradation Standards, Joshua E. Schumaker

Theses and Dissertations

The focus of this thesis is on the structural characterization of lignin, a complex phenol-based heteropolymer. In the first part of the study, functionalization of lignin and its known degradation products by 2-chloro-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphospholane (TMDP) and analysis by 31P NMR spectroscopy was investigated. Chemical shifts of derivatized alcohols, phenols, and carboxylic acids were determined that allowed for qualitative characterization of lignin. This approach was further applied for the quantitative analysis of OH-containing groups present in lignin employing the internal standard. Lignin samples, fractionated by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) based on molecular weights, were derivatized by TMDP and characterized by 31P NMR …

The Role Of Α-Synuclein In Brain Lipid Metabolism And Inflammation, Drew R. Seeger

Theses and Dissertations

Alpha-synuclein (Snca) is a small cytosolic protein that is ubiquitously expressed in the nervous system and comprises 0.5-1% of all cytosolic protein, but its biological function is poorly understood. Although Snca function has been studied in lipid metabolism, the function of Snca in brain lipid metabolism under inflammatory conditions is yet to be elucidated. We utilized several model systems including primary cultured astrocytes and microglia, Snca deficient and mutant knock-in mice, and a radiolabeled free fatty acid steady state-kinetic mouse model to determine Snca role in neuroinflammation. Herein, we have determined several major roles of Snca during inflammation: (i) dBcAMP …

Modification Methods For Soil And Water Assessment Tool (Swat) Performance In Simulating Runoff And Sediment Of Watersheds In Cold Regions, Bahareh Shoghli

Theses and Dissertations

Streamflow predication is an important task in water management studies. It is needed in the operation and optimization of water resources and flood control projects. The accuracy of these predictions has a great influence on the water resources management and decision making processes. Various models and tool packages have been developed for simulation and prediction of streamflow. Among them, the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is one of the most widely used models, which was originally developed to predict the impacts of land management on water, sediment and agricultural chemical yield in large watershed simulations. Results of the SWAT …

Investigation Of Rcf Life Of Hollow Components For Additive Manufacturing, Subodh Chandra Subedi

Theses and Dissertations

Advancements in manufacturing and material technology has redefined the approach of design for machine components. Additive manufacturing processes have enabled designers to manufacture for design and functionality. With Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) approach, components can be manufactured with holes in them, including rolling contact components. These hollow components save material, weight, have shorter manufacturing lead times and possibly a higher rolling contact fatigue resistance. Hollowness is defined as the volume percentage of intentional void in load carrying member. Finite element analysis is performed to obtain compressive and tensile stresses on rings and square plates with centric holes in them. …

The Impact Of Gender, Victim Weight, And Victim Responsibility On Attributions Of Blame And Responsibility In A Case Of Nonconsensual Pornography, Carolyn Ann Uhl

Theses and Dissertations

The sharing of sexually explicit messages or photographs, known as sexting, is on the rise. As a result, nonconsensual pornography, commonly referred to as revenge porn, is also increasing. Victims of nonconsensual pornography suffer a variety of negative consequences following the distribution of their photographs. Various case and victim characteristics of nonconsensual pornography cases may alter observer perceptions of these situations. This study utilized a mock police report describing a case in which a former romantic partner distributed nude photographs of the victim online without the victim’s consent. The police reports were identical, apart from manipulations of victim gender, victim …

The Impact Of Social Norms On Young Women's Health-Related Risk Perceptions, Intentions, And Behaviors, Karen Elizabeth Vanderzanden

Theses and Dissertations

Research has shown that social norms may influence individuals’ engagement in potentially dangerous behaviors. The current study examined the influence of descriptive norms and injunctive norms on risk perceptions, intentions, and behavioral outcomes for tanning and binge drinking. Participants were 359 Caucasian women between the ages of 21 and 25 years old residing in the United States who completed online surveys via Amazon’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk). The study employed a 3 (Descriptive norm information: high risk estimate vs. low risk estimate vs. none) x 3 (Injunctive norm information: approval vs. disapproval vs. none) x 2 (Target risk behavior: tanning vs. …

Mimic-Women: Twentieth-Century American Women On The Edges Of Exploration, Michele R. Willman

Theses and Dissertations

Women have been involved in exploration as adventurers, discoverers, mountaineers, and botanists for centuries. Yet, women have largely been unrecognized as explorers. This project shows that women in exploration have had to practice physical and rhetorical strategies to overcome historical and traditional gender biases in exploration and its related fields. Expanding on Homi Bhabha’s explanation of colonial mimicry, I argue that twentieth-century American women explorers practiced a form of gender-based mimicry to make their presence in exploration possible. At times, they mimicked their male explorer-counterparts such as when they inhabited the imperial gaze. At other times, they employed gendered rhetorical …

Investigating Evaporation Of Melting Ice Particles Within A Bin Melting Layer Model, Andrea Neumann

Theses and Dissertations

Single column models have been used to help develop algorithms for remote sensing retrievals. Assumptions in the single-column models may affect the assumptions of the remote sensing retrievals. Studies of the melting layer that use single column models often assume environments that are near or at water saturation. This study investigates the effects of evaporation upon melting particles to determine whether the assumption of negligible mass loss still holds within subsaturated melting layers. A single column, melting layer model is modified to include the effects of sublimation and evaporation upon the particles. Other changes to the model include switching the …

A Midwest School District’S Implementation Process Of A New Teacher Evaluation Model, Kristopher G. Arason G. Arason

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to test the effectiveness of the implementation of the Marzano Teacher Evaluation Framework (MTEF) in a Midwest school district. The study used quantitative methods to examine the process used to bring about change in the school district’s teacher evaluation model. The researcher examined teacher and administrator perceptions regarding change, professional development, instructional improvement, reliability, and overall satisfaction with ease of use of the MTEF model.

The researcher used data collected from one Midwest school district. The school district consisted of twelve elementary schools, four middle schools, and three high schools. A total of 682 …

Ring Opening Polymerization Of Lactide And Synthesis Of Polycarbonates Directly From Carbon Dioxide And Diols, Shi Bian

Theses and Dissertations

A series of dimethylaluminum complexes (L)AlMe2 (where HL= 2-(2’-ArNH)phenyl-4-R1-oxazoline) bearing chiral, bidentate anilido-oxazolinate ligands have been prepared and characterized. Six of the complexes, in the presence of an alcohol cocatalyst, are shown to be active initiators for the stereoselective ring opening polymerization of rac-lactide in toluene solution and under bulk conditions, yielding polylactides with a range of tacticity from slightly isotactic to moderately heterotactic. The reactivity and selectivity of these catalysts are discussed based on their substituents.

Polycarbonates have attracted considerable recent interest because of their potential biodegradability and sustainability. Two direct routes were developed for the synthesis of polycarbonates …

Impacts Of Cattail Management Techniques On Plant, Bird, Amphibian, And Invertebrate Communities In Shallow Wetlands Of Northwestern Minnesota, Joshua John Bruggman

Theses and Dissertations

Wetlands in the United States have been considered both an impediment to progress and a valuable asset for ecosystem services. As a result, rapid loss and degradation of wetlands has occurred and many attempts to protect and restore wetlands are now occurring. However, invasive species continue to challenge wetland management efforts. Cattails (Typha spp.) are invasive plants that can dominate a wetland once they become established. There are two species of cattails in the Northern Great Plains, broad-leaf (Typha latifolia) and narrow-leaf (Typha angustifolia) cattail. These two species can cross to produce a robust, hybrid cattail (Typha x glauca) that …

Determining Glacier Drift Ages Using Multispectral Remote Sensing Data, Paula Crock

Theses and Dissertations

Determining the ages of glacier drifts in Antarctica can help paleoclimatologists determine

the changes Earth’s climate has gone through and thereby inform models for future climate

change prediction. However, many of these drifts are difficult to reach for sample collection

necessary to determine their ages. This research attempts to use multispectral remote sensing

data to expand the mapping of drift ages from known point measurements regionally. This

research is based on existing drift ages from Ong Valley, Transantarctic Mountains. Two

methods were used to determine a combination of the image band data that would sufficiently

distinguish the three age-distinct drift …

Semi-Empirical Methods For Electronic Properties Of Surface Adsorbed Molecules., Rajesh Dhakal

Theses and Dissertations

In the work described here, semi-empirical, theoretical tools have been developed to address one-electron properties of substrate/adsorbate systems. The tools are adaptations of the simple, Hückel π-electron theory and of the fast accurate-kinetic

energy theory of F. Harris et al. (FAKE) to systems involving an infinite, mostly periodic substrate via a Green-function formalism. These tools are applied here to study graphene with vacancies and adsorbates, but can be generalized. In π theory, only a small subset of substrate basis states having odd reflection symmetry through the graphene layer are used to treat electrons near the Fermi level, to a very …

Collaboration In English Language Learner Teacher Education: Implications For Moving Theory Into Practice, Katie Erin Erickson

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study was developed to fill the gap in current research on what extent five teacher educators, from three Midwest and one Southwest teacher education program, are preparing English Language Learner (ELL) preservice teachers to collaborate in ELL teacher education. The results indicate that ELL teacher educators are not preparing ELL preservice teachers to collaborate for K-12 ELLs. The interview data supports the implication that teacher educators perceive some degree of programmatic reform in teacher education programs is necessary for the integration of collaboration for ELL education.

There are several recommendations resulting from this study. Teacher education programs …

Evaluating Wetland Expansion In A Tallgrass Prairie-Wetland Restoration, Katie Mae Engelmann

Theses and Dissertations

Remote sensing is an effective tool to inventory and monitor wetlands at large spatial scales. This study examined the effect of wetland restoration practices at Glacial Ridge National Wildlife Refuge (GRNWR) in northwest Minnesota on the distribution, location, size and temporal changes of wetlands. A Geographic Object-Based Image Analysis (GEOBIA) land cover classification method was applied that integrated spectral data, LiDAR elevation, and LiDAR derived ancillary data of slope, aspect, and TWI. Accuracy of remote wetland mapping was compared with onsite wetland delineation.

The GEOBIA method produced land cover classifications with high overall accuracy (88 – 91 percent). Wetland area …