Digital Commons Network^™

Mitigating Memory Randomization Weaknesses Via Moving Target Defense, Sultan M. Aldossary

Theses and Dissertations

In this dissertation, we address the problem of weakness of address space layout randomization. The address space randomization technique was proposed to make determining the address of a shared library more difficult since each instance of the program is loaded into a random base address. However, when address space randomization layout (ASLR) is implemented on a 32-bit system, an attacker can use a brute force attack to guess the address of the shared library.The main goal of the research described in this dissertation is to study the use of a dispatching algorithm and multiple back-end servers as a moving target …

A Learning Community Approach To Identifying Interventions In Health Systems To Reduce Colorectal Cancer Screening Disparities., Lillian C. Man, Melissa Dicarlo, Emily Lambert, Randa Sifri, Martha Romney, Linda Fleisher, Ronald Myers

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Although colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in the United States has been increasing, screening rates are not optimal, and there are persistent disparities in CRC screening and mortality, particularly among minority patients. As most CRC screening takes place in primary care, health systems are well-positioned to address this important population health problem. However, most health systems have not actively engaged in identifying and implementing effective evidence-based intervention strategies that can raise CRC screening rates and reduce disparities. Drawing on the Collective Impact Model and the Interactive Systems Framework for Dissemination and Implementation, our project team applied a learning community strategy to …

Conference Report: Latinr 2018, Laura Acion, Natalia Da Silva, Riva Quiroga

The R Journal

LatinR <- Latin American Conference about the Use of R in Research + Development (LatinR) was an international conference whose goal was bringing together the Latin Ameri can R community. The inagural LatinR took place at the Universidad de Palermo in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on September 3 to 5, 2018. About 100 participants from more than 10 differ ent countries (e.g., Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Brazil, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Spain, United States, Canada) attended LatinR.

LatinR will be an annual meeting that will rotate among different countries in Latin America. LatinR 2019 will be hosted by the Universidad Católica de Chile in Santiago de Chile on September 25 to 27

Factors Contributing To Successful Employment Outcomes For Individuals Who Are Hard-Of-Hearing, Sergio Cuevas

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between demographic variables (gender, race and ethnicity, age, level of education, and secondary disability), state-federal vocational rehabilitation (VR) services, and VR employment outcomes among individuals who are hard-of-hearing. This study also explored what VR services contribute to employment outcomes for individuals who are hard-of-hearing. Data from The U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Service Administration Case Service Report (RSA-911) FY 2014 was used to focus on individuals who are hard-of-hearing. Logistic regression, Chi-square, and Chi-square Automatic Interaction Detector (CHAID) analyses were used to analyze the RSA-911 dataset.

Investigating Faculty Across The Disciplines Perceptions And Practices Of Reflective Writing In Community Engaged Courses: A Comparative Study, Marcela Hebbard

Theses and Dissertations

Recently, research in composition studies and Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) has focused on understanding better how student reflective practices assist on their transfer of writing knowledge across contexts (Yancey et al., 2014; Taczak & Robertson, 2017, Lindenman et al., 2018). However, not much research has been done that investigates faculty beliefs and practices about reflective writing, how they use it to measure student outcomes and achievement in community engaged courses and the implications this might have for the transfer of knowledge and practice of writing. This study draws primarily on activity theory to better understand whether there is a …

Writing Development Of Emerget Bilinguals: School-Wide Contextual Factors, Alma Rosa Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

The State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) measures Texas public school students’ knowledge and skills in many areas, including fourth grade writing. This system requires that students meet a certain performance standard score in writing to be successful. This state mandate impacts many Texas districts, teachers, and students. Districts must be prepared with necessary resources and tools to meet the writing needs of all students, including emergent bilinguals.

This case study focused on investigating how a bilingual teacher in a bilingual campus taught writing to her emergent bilinguals. Using the writer’s workshop approach, which many districts implement to …

Multiple-Micronutrient Supplementation: Evidence From Large-Scale Prenatal Programmes On Coverage, Compliance And Impact, Cristiana Berti, Michelle F. Gaffey, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Irene Cetin

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Micronutrient deficiencies during pregnancy pose important challenges for public-health, given the potential adverse outcomes not only during pregnancy but across the life-course. Provision of iron-folic acid (IFA) supplements is the strategy most commonly practiced and recommended globally. How to successfully implement IFA and multiple micronutrient supplementation interventions among pregnant women and to achieve sustainable/permanent solutions to prenatal micronutrient deficiencies remain unresolved issues in many countries. This paper aims to analyse available experiences of prenatal IFA and multiple micronutrient interventions to distil learning for their effective planning and large-scale implementation. Relevant articles and programme-documentation were comprehensively identified from electronic databases, websites …

The Dietary Intake And Practices Of Adolescent Girls In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review, Emily C. Keats, Aviva I. Rappaport, Shailja Shah, Christina Oh, Reena Jain, Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

In many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) the double burden of malnutrition is high among adolescent girls, leading to poor health outcomes for the adolescent herself and sustained intergenerational effects. This underpins the importance of adequate dietary intake during this period of rapid biological development. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the current dietary intake and practices among adolescent girls (10⁻19 years) in LMICs. We searched relevant databases and grey literature using MeSH terms and keywords. After applying specified inclusion and exclusion criteria, 227 articles were selected for data extraction, synthesis, and quality assessment. Of the included …

Dual-Band Filtering Antenna With Novel Transmission Zero Characteristics, Kirti Dhwaj, Li (Lijun) Jun Jiang, Tatsuo Itoh

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A single-layer two-pole dual-band filtering antenna (DBFA) with orthogonal polarizations in the two bands is presented in this letter. The DBFA is based on a common dual-mode T-shaped resonator (TR). The two modes of the common resonator each couple to one of the two orthogonally placed patches, resulting in required radiation. The TR is responsible for generation of three transmission zeroes (TZs) in frequency response corresponding to each polarization at the broadside: two of them being intrinsic TZs due to the TR and the third caused by far field interference of TR's radiation with that of the patch. The low …

Fostering Compassionate Care For Persons With Alzheimer's Disease In Nursing Facilities., Sam Gilbert Cotton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this dissertation study was to examine the impact of the implementation of a new Compassionate Care (CC) curriculum on the quality of care provided by Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) to residents with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). More specifically, this dissertation used Kirkpatrick’s model of evaluation to assess the reactions, learning, and behavior change of the CNAs exposed to the curriculum, and ultimately the impact of the curriculum on the stress levels of residents with AD. To accomplish this, we had two studies that aligned with the Kirkpatrick model of evaluation. For Study #1, the evaluation of the compassionate …

The History And Signification Of The Navicella Mosaic At St. Peter's Basilica, Rome., Eston Dillon Adams

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The Navicella mosaic is most famously an artwork created by Giotto di Bondone. Evidence for the appearance and dating of this giant mural is discussed in this dissertation with the conclusion that it was made in 1298 and its composition is best recorded in a Parri Spinelli drawing preserved in the Musée Condé in Chantilly, France. It was admired by untold numbers of worshipers who visited the grand Constantinian basilica of Old St. Peter’s in the Vatican in Rome. The Navicella was located on the façade of Santa Maria in the Towers, an important chapel as well as the gatehouse …

Stalkers : What Are They Thinking?, Bethany Lynne Keller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Stalking became a prominent term in U.S culture in 1990 after a celebrity was murdered by a stalker in 1989. While media portrays stalking as a violent crime, often directed towards celebrities and prominent political figures, this is a much more common occurrence than people are aware, most often directed at women and perpetrated by men. Stalking often consists of the milder end of the continuum of behaviors, such as spying and leaving gifts for the target, and is often perpetrated by an individual the target knows, such as an acquaintance of an ex-intimate. Forty-eight percent of stalkers fall in …

Deindustrializing School : The Implementation Of Career Academies And Implications For School Leaders., Terra Greenwell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Rooted in an antiquated curriculum, the traditional model of schooling remains a persisting factor in student disengagement at all levels, but especially in high school (Labaree, 2008). At a time when college and career readiness is vital to a school’s accountability, principals must rethink ways to educate a diverse student population. Given the need to provide both academic and vocational aspects, career academies create career-themed small learning communities in an effort to increase student engagement, belonging, and post-secondary success. This study uses a multiple case study design to explore the much-needed perspective of high school principals as they collectively implemented …

North American Indigenous Collection And Curation And Its Impact On Market Arts., Adelaide Mccomb

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the history of two North American Indigenous groups, those belonging to the Great Plains and the Arctic, and observes how settler-colonial influence determined the collection and curation of arts and artifacts in these areas. This art includes a mention of pre-Colombian works, but focuses predominantly on works being made after “first-contact” through the contemporary ear. The paper addresses the effect imperialist history has had on the development of Indigenous art markets, and how institutions such as museums may address them through ethical practices, and efforts to decolonize museum spaces.

Low Temperature Desiccants In Atmospheric Water Generation., Sunil Gupta

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Surging global water demand as well as changes to weather patterns and over exploitation of natural water sources, such as ground water, has made potable water a critical resource in many parts of the World already – one rapidly heading towards a crisis situation. Desalination has been adopted as a solution – this is however energy intensive and impractical for most of the developing countries - those most in need of water. A renewable source of energy is solar thermal and solar photovoltaic. A plentiful source of water is the humidity in the atmosphere. This research is to push the …

Adolescent Sexual And Reproductive Health In The Gambia., Sandhya Lohani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adolescence is a crucial period in human development. Knowledge and awareness about when to have children, when to have sex, and use of contraceptives impacts the chances of teenage pregnancy and risk of sexually transmitted diseases. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors related to age of sexual debut, teenage pregnancy, and use of contraceptives in the Gambia. This study also compares the data with 2014 survey research conducted in the Gambia. The total study population were 50 adolescents aged 13-21 years from Bafuluto and surrounding communities in the Gambia. Among 50 respondents, …

Present But Not Accounted For: A Phenomenological Study Of Gifted African American Males., Ronda Elizabeth George

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to explore the lived experiences of gifted African American males in grades 6-8. Specifically, the study examined how gifted African American males perceived and understood their participation in a gifted program and how their sense of self-efficacy shaped their disposition and approach toward academic persistence. Much of the literature published on the social, emotional, and academic success of gifted African American males has focused on college-aged students, therefore the current study is crucial in contributing to the body of knowledge on African American males, in particular, those identified as gifted during early adolescence …

Common Ground, Diverging Paths: Eighteenth-Century English And French Landscape Painting., Jessica Robins Schumacher

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the early eighteenth century, both English and French artists traveled to Rome to study the great seventeenth-century landscape artists --Claude Lorrain and Nicolas Poussin in particular—at the source. The English were motivated by a combination of reverence for the ancient, classical world, an associative imagination and a burgeoning competitive art market. The French, by an equal regard for antiquity and the pragmatic desire to complete the requirements of the monopolistic French Academy. While English landscape painting evolved away from the idealism of Claude to a modern naturalism imbued with the artist’s subjective response to a visual experience, French landscape …

Lead And Crime: An Ecological Study Between Lead Contaminated Topsoil And Violent Crime., Brian Guinn

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lead is a known neurotoxicant. Human exposure to lead comes primarily through environmental exposures, including remnant lead paint, lead contaminated topsoil and lead contaminated water. Prenatal and early life lead exposure has been associated with numerous neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric disorders. This dissertation presents findings from an ecological study which evaluated the geospatial association between topsoil lead content and the incidence of FBI designated violent crime in Jefferson County, Kentucky. A total of 412 topsoil samples were collected along roadways (n=300) and from Louisville Metro Parks (n=112). Jefferson County crime data was obtained from the Louisville Metro Police Department – Crime …

Association Between Cigarette Smoking And Ovarian Reserve Among Women Seeking Fertility Treatment With Effect Modification By Race And Nat2 Genotype., Islamiat A. Oladipupo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cigarette smoking in women has been associated with adverse reproductive outcomes such as reduced ovarian reserve, poorer in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes and increased adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study examined the association of smoking with ovarian reserve in a cross-sectional study of women seeking fertility treatment, and potential effect modification by race and NAT2 acetylator phenotype. Data from 265 women from the Louisville Tobacco Smoke, Genetic Susceptibility, and Infertility (LOUSSI) Study were analyzed. A total of 265 women were recruited through a single infertility clinic between September 2016 and June 2018. Information on current smoking status was assessed using a …

Assessing The Role Of Arsenite In Disrupting The Egfr Signaling Axis., Christine Kim

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a receptor tyrosine kinase localized on the cell surface. Overexpression of EGFR has been used as biomarkers for many different types of cancers, including lung cancer. There is a strong association between arsenic and lung cancer development, although the mechanism is unclear. We hypothesize that chronic exposure of “a physiologically relevant” level of arsenite disrupts the EGFR endocytic trafficking. The goal of this project is to identify molecular mechanisms and roles of chronic arsenite-induced EGFR overexpression in lung cancer development. A non-malignant human bronchial epithelial cell line, Beas-2B cells were exposed to 100 …

A Threshold To Utilize Guayule Resin As A New Binder In Flexible Pavement Industry, Ahmed Hemida, Magdy Abdelrahman

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study denotes a threshold to utilize Guayule Resin as a new bio-based binder or asphalt cement (AC) proportion, both with/out crumb rubber modifier (CRM), regarding solutions for environment, cost, and sustainability aspects. Via this research, 15 designated binders will be presented, all of them were tested as unaged and RTFO, whereas eight binders proceeded with PAV. Superpave was utilized to study their physical properties. Viscosity was examined upon some guayule-based binders with/out CRM, getting 114cP (at 135℃) for BGR, increased to about 3 times with 10%CRM (by weight of liquid binder) and about 7-8 times with 20%CRM. Comparisons among …

Marine Boundary Layer Aerosol In The Eastern North Atlantic: Seasonal Variations And Key Controlling Processes, Guangjie Zheng, Yang Wang, For Full List Of Authors, See Publisher's Website.

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The response of marine low cloud systems to changes in aerosol concentration represents one of the largest uncertainties in climate simulations. Major contributions to this uncertainty are derived from poor understanding of aerosol under natural conditions and the perturbation by anthropogenic emissions. The eastern North Atlantic (ENA) is a region of persistent but diverse marine boundary layer (MBL) clouds, whose albedo and precipitation are highly susceptible to perturbations in aerosol properties. In this study, we examine MBL aerosol properties, trace gas mixing ratios, and meteorological parameters measured at the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Climate Research Facility's ENA site on Graciosa Island, …

Multi‐Modal Analysis Of Deciduous Tree Stands Toward Ash Tree Inventory: Biomass Estimation And Genus‐Level Discrimination In A Mixed Deciduous Forest, Timothy D. Rupright

Theses

The invasive species Agrilus planipennis (Emerald Ash Borer or EAB) is currently impacting ash trees in a large part of the continental United States. One way of measuring the effect of this infestation on the US markets is to determine the spread of the species and the biomass destruction/loss due to this invasive pest. In order to assess such impacts, it is necessary to determine how and where ash trees are located toward accurately measuring the relevant ash species biomass and tree count.

This study utilizes data captured over the campus of Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, NY. Hyperspectral …

Effects Of An Educational Intervention On Exclusive Breastfeeding Rates In Marshallese Mothers Residing In The U.S., Connor K. Otto

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Background: The largest population of Marshallese immigrants in the Contiguous U.S. resides in Northwest Arkansas. Despite adequate access to healthcare, the Marshallese face many health disparities, perhaps partly due to the language barrier they face in healthcare settings and education. Regarding breastfeeding rates, women in the Marshall Islands have a significantly higher rate of exclusive breastfeeding than in Marshallese women residing in the U.S. who face cultural barriers. Breastfeeding is positively correlated to many benefits for infants and is recommended exclusively for at least 6 months by pediatric policy organizations.

Objective: The purpose of this research is to examine breastfeeding …

Changes In Cultural Competency Of Nurses Caring For Marshallese Islanders Following An Educational Intervention, Abigail Childers

The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Abstract

Background: Marshall Islanders are one of the fastest growing migrant populations in the US and Northwest Arkansas. Health disparities and maintenance of strong cultural values and norms may adversely affect the Marshallese participation in the health care system. Evidence shows that cultural competency training can improve the attitudes, knowledge, skills and behaviors of health professionals and has many positive impacts. The Clinical Cultural Competency Questionnaire (CCCQ) is a research-validated tool that can be used to measure perceived cultural competency through many subscale categories.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to implement a cultural awareness educational program and to …

The Effect Of Morphology Instruction On Performance Growth Of Seventh-Grade Students: A Quasi-Experimental Study, Erin Kathleen Pizzo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest, nonequivalent control group study was to evaluate the effectiveness of morphological instruction that includes word matrices and word sums with middle school students. This study compared the overall reading performance growth as measured by the Northwest Evaluation Association: Measure of Academic Performance (NWEA MAP) scores of students who received morphological instruction with word matrices and word sums with the growth of students who did not receive morphological instruction that included word matrices and word sums. A convenience sample of 100 students English-speaking students from a rural, public middle school in northwest Pennsylvania was used …

A Correlational Study Of Teacher Practice Versus Belief, Christopher A. Heery

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this research study was to examin the correlation between what kindergarten teachers identified as developmentally appropriate practices in kindergarten classrooms and what is included in their actual daily classroom practices. This quantitative research used a correlational research design to investigate the strength of the relationship between what teachers identied as their beliefs in developmentally appropriate practices for early childhood education and their self-reported use of developmentally appropriate practices within their own classrooms. The population included kindergarten teachers who currently teach in the northeastern counties of Pennsylvania. The participants completed an online survey developed for teachers of kindergarten …

Christ-Centered Worship: Five New Testament Principles For The Korean Church, Hallellu Choi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Protestant church of South Korea witnessed remarkable growth since the Gospel was first preached in Korea in the nineteenth century; growth in the second half of the twentieth century was particularly strong. The Presbyterian church in South Korea, however, experienced decline since 1995: this was mainly due to Christians’ lack of good influence toward the non-Christians in their lives. Their good influence on non-Christians in the world can be restored first by re-educating them with biblical principles of worship and by encouraging them to live out those principles. The purpose of this thesis is to suggest five principles of …

Arb-Med-Arb In Cross-Border Disputes, Janet C. Checkley, Nadja Alexander

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

To satisfy the needs of an increasingly diverse set of legal cultures meeting in the global marketplace today, dispute resolution mechanisms must continually evolve. One of the recent solutions to arise out of the blending of legal cultures is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, because it is in fact not new at all: multi-tiered dispute resolution.