Digital Commons Network^™

Organizational Management Of Distance Learning: An Analysis Of Teacher Feedback Throughout Hampton Roads Public High Schools During The Covid-19 Pandemic Response, Cody P. Trudeau

OTS Master's Level Projects & Papers

Public schools throughout the United States experienced closures and transitions to online curriculum in the spring of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, many of the policies and strategies implemented to manage teaching faculty were hastily designed and employed out of necessity. This study sought to examine organizational management policies and strategies throughout public high schools in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia through teaching faculty perspectives. This cross-sectional study examined descriptive and correlational statistics of survey responses to determine and evaluate how schools managed communication, responsibilities and delegation, and training for distance learning in order to provide policy …

Redefining Creep: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Aviation Accident Survivability, Michael Knott

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

Given the sheer amount of flights that occur on a daily basis around the world, aviation accidents are going to occur. The principles ensuring that an accident is as safe as possible are considered aircraft survivability or crashworthiness which is analyzed using the acronym CREEP; Container, Restraint, Environment, Energy Absorption, and Post-Crash Factors. CREEP is used by investigators to analyze survivability after a crash, but has significant short falls. By only focusing on a crash, CREEP misses several survivability concepts applicable to aviation such as aircraft equipped with ejection seats, inflight environmental factors, and high …

Standardized Reporting Systems For Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography And Calcium Scoring: A Real-World Validation Of Cad-Rads And Cac-Drs In Patients With Stable Chest Pain, Ricardo Cury

All Publications

No abstract provided.

Anatomizing White Rage: “Race Is My Religion!" And “White Genocide”, Kate E. Temoney

Department of Religion Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

2020 Msu Benefits Guide, Morehead State University. Office Of Human Resources.

Staff Congress Records

2020 Morehead State University Benefits Guide published by the Human Resources Office.

Security In 5g-Enabled Internet Of Things Communication: Issues: Challenges, And Future Research Roadmap, Mohammad Wazid, Ashok Kumar Das, Sachin Shetty, Prosanta Gope, Joel J.P.C. Rodrigues

VMASC Publications

5G mobile communication systems promote the mobile network to not only interconnect people, but also interconnect and control the machine and other devices. 5G-enabled Internet of Things (IoT) communication environment supports a wide-variety of applications, such as remote surgery, self-driving car, virtual reality, flying IoT drones, security and surveillance and many more. These applications help and assist the routine works of the community. In such communication environment, all the devices and users communicate through the Internet. Therefore, this communication agonizes from different types of security and privacy issues. It is also vulnerable to different types of possible attacks (for example, …

The Artificial University: Decision Support For Universities In The Covid-19 Era, Wesley J. Wildman, Saikou Y. Diallo, George Hodulik, Andrew Page, Andreas Tolk, Neha Gondal

VMASC Publications

Operating universities under pandemic conditions is a complex undertaking. The Artificial University (TAU) responds to this need. TAU is a configurable, open-source computer simulation of a university using a contact network based on publicly available information about university classes, residences, and activities. This study evaluates health outcomes for an array of interventions and testing protocols in an artificial university of 6,500 students, faculty, and staff. Findings suggest that physical distancing and centralized contact tracing are most effective at reducing infections, but there is a tipping point for compliance below which physical distancing is less effective. If student compliance is anything …

Off-Policy Q-Learning For Anti-Interference Control Of Multi-Player Systems, Jinna Li, Zhenfei Xiao, Tianyou Chai, Frank L. Lewis, Sarangapani Jagannathan

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper develops a novel off-policy game Q-learning algorithm to solve the anti-interference control problem for discrete-time linear multi-player systems using only data without requiring system matrices to be known. The primary contribution of this paper lies in that the Q-learning strategy employed in the proposed algorithm is implemented in an off-policy policy iteration approach other than on-policy learning due to the well-known advantages of off-policy Q-learning over on-policy Q-learning. All of the players work hard together for the goal of minimizing their common performance index meanwhile defeating the disturbance that tries to maximize the specific performance index, and finally …

Characterization Of Coal Particles In The Soil Of A Former Rail Yard And Urban Brownfield: Liberty State Park, Jersey City (Nj), Usa, Diane F. Hagmann, Michael A. Kruge, Nina M. Goodey, Jennifer Adams Krumins

Department of Earth and Environmental Studies Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

From the 1850's until the 1960's, the Central Railroad of New Jersey was among several major railways shipping anthracite and bituminous coal to the New York City area, transferring coal from railcar to barge at its extensive rail yard and port facility in Jersey City. The 490 ha Liberty State Park was developed on the site after the rail yard closed, but a ca. 100 ha brownfield zone within the park remains off limits to visitors pending future remediation. As part of an environmental forensic and industrial archeological investigation of this zone, the present study characterizes anthracite and bituminous coal …

Coke And The Digital Age, Tao Deng, Daradirek Ekachai, Jean M. Grow

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

The Art And Science Of Transition: A Descriptive Case Study Between A Two- And A Four-Year Institution, Kaylyn Marie Bondy

Theses and Dissertations

The vast majority of students who enroll in a two-year college intend to earn a bachelor’s degree. However, only about 14% transfer and earn a bachelor’s degree within six years (Jenkins & Fink, 2016). The need to increase the number of bachelor’s degree holders (Torpey, 2018), and the increasing number of students beginning at two-year institutions demands the creation of smoother transfer pathways (Handel, 2013). Vertical transfer students comprise a majority of transfer-related studies, however, little research has focused on the efficiency and efficacy of that process (Gard, Paton, & Gosselin, 2012). Institutions can strengthen transfer student resources with a …

The Impact Of Clinician Attachment Style On Burnout And Job Satisfaction: Introducing Mindfulness As A Mediator, Jill Marie Calderon

Theses and Dissertations

Attachment style is theorized to develop in childhood, as a result of the bonds that develop between child and caregiver. The research has shown individuals with an insecure attachment style are more at risk for job burnout and less satisfied with their jobs. This study proposed, mindfulness may be the internal process influencing the relationship between attachment style, burnout and job satisfaction. Mindfulness is defined as paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, nonjudgmentally and has found to be positively correlated with secure attachment styles. Additionally, mindfulness has shown to have a negative relationship with burnout and a positive …

Automation And Visualization Of Program Correctness For Automatically Generating Code, Jason Michael Hicks

Theses and Dissertations

Program synthesis systems can be highly advantageous in that users can automatically generate code to fit a wide variety of applications from high-level specifications without needing any low-level programming skills or knowledge of which type of data structures and algorithms should be used. NASA has developed and uses two of these systems, AUTOFILTER and AUTOBAYES. Though much is gained in terms of time and cost efficiency in the use of these systems, they suffer from an issue that is inherent in all code generator systems, the verifiability of the correctness of the generated code against the input specifications. Many times, …

A Critical Race Examination Of The Lived Experiences Of Persistent African American Students At A Predominantly White Community College, Elena Favela Naca

Theses and Dissertations

For well over a century, African Americans have fought for equal rights to employment, prosperity, political power and freedom. Earning an education was the way forward. Over time, legislative and institutional policies have created greater access to education for racialized individuals. Yet, African American students remain the most underserved population, and among the lowest in degree attainment across ethnic groups. Decades of research literature places blame on students and families, highlighting student deficiencies. Far fewer explanations in the literature point to institutional barriers that perpetuate practices that place African American students at a disadvantage. Critical Race Theory (CRT) offers a …

Bio-Regenerative Life Support Systems Functional Stability And Limitations, A Theoretical Modeling Approach, Curt I. Holmer

Theses and Dissertations

Experiments with Ecological Closed Life Support Systems (ECLSS) for moderate sized crews have shown instability when supporting crews over long periods of time required for deep space travel. Tests such as Russia’s BIOS series, NASA’s Lunar-Mars Life Support Test Project (LMLSTP), ESA’s Micro-Ecological Life Support System Alternative (MELiSSA), and Japan’s Closed Ecology Experiment Facilities (CEEF) have shown that microalgae and higher plants combined with physical-chemical material converters can be a successful part of a Biological Life Support System or a Closed Ecological Life Support System. LMLSTP, MELiSSA, and CEBAS experiments as well as commercial Ecosphere products have proven stability at …

Influences On The Development Of Ethical Decision-Making In Speech-Language Pathology Students: A Phenomenological Study Of Graduate Students And Clinical Supervisors, Joni K. Mehrhoff

Theses and Dissertations

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) serve as members of the interprofessional team for complex patients. As such, SLPs are required to uphold ethical practices and respond to the needs of patients, their families, healthcare organizations, and the interprofessional team. Speech-language pathology graduates are part of the ethical healthcare team during clinical experiences. Yet, limited research is available to define the development of student ethical decision-making. The purpose of this study was to explore what influences SLP graduate students and clinical supervisors ascribe to in the development of ethical decision-making. Participants included five SLP graduate students and six SLP clinical supervisors from accredited …

The Role Of A Principal In Creating A School Climate In Which New American Students Thrive: An Ethnographic Case Study Of A Midwest Magnet School, Attia Noor

Theses and Dissertations

This ethnographic case study used the lens of multiculturalism to examine the role of a school principal in creating a climate in which New American students can thrive. Three discrete data gathering methods were utilized in this study including policy documents obtained from the school district website and the school, a two week period of in-school observations, and interviews of the principal and school staff members selected through purposive sampling. A focus group interview of parents was also used for data collection. Data were analyzed by using a constant comparative method to explore the meanings educators had attached to their …

Montana Coaches' Perceptions On Including Transgender Athletes In High School Interscholastic Sports And Its Effect On Team Chemistry, David L. Woods Ii

Theses and Dissertations

The eligibility of transgender students to participate in high school athletic sports is a polarizing topic in the United States of America. Questions of fairness within each competitive sport, along with precedents set in law and policy, both by the United States and by International Sporting Organizations such as the International Olympic Committee, shape arguments for or against transgender high school students' eligibility. Each state faces the decision of whether to base high school transgender athletes' eligibility in high school sports according to their gender identity, or their sex assigned at birth.

The study aimed to identify Montana high school …

Student Athlete Perceptions On Coaches' Relationships Impacting Continued Participation In High School Athletics, Mark Allen Rerick

Theses and Dissertations

The researcher’s purpose for this study was to review and analyze student-athlete perceptions of their high school athletic experience based on one school district’s collected data. This research provides athletic directors knowledge and direction to better define the philosophy, goals, and organizational structure of their athletic departments. Using quantitative and qualitative data, the researcher examined secondary data collected to identify reasons student-athletes participate in athletics as well as understand why some student-athletes may not continue their participation in high school athletics. The researcher also explored the contrasting goals of privately run sports clubs and high school sponsored athletic programs and …

Evaluation Of Spot Size Using Volumetric Repainting Technique On A Proteusplus Pbs Proton Therapy System, Suresh Rana, Jaafar Bennouna, Alonso Gutierrez

All Publications

Volumetric repainting is considered as one of the techniques for motion mitigation in proton therapy. Faster layer switching time to deliver a volumetric repainting proton plan is very critical to reduce the overall treatment time. Recently, IBA (proton therapy vendor at the Miami Cancer Institute) has implemented a "field regulation" – a new feature to reduce the switching time between layers by applying a magnetic field setpoint to specific groups of magnets. In order to investigate the impact of field regulation and volumetric repainting technique on the spot size, several spot maps were generated. The spot sizes were measured at …

Science, Diplomacy, And The Red Sea's Unique Coral Reef: It's Time For Action, Karine Kleinhaus, Ali Al-Sawalmih, Daniel J. Barshis, Amatzia Genin, Lola N. Grace, Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Yossi Loya, Anders Meiborn, Eslam O. Osman, Jean-Daniel Ruch, Yonathan Shaked, Christian R. Voolstra, Assaf Zvuloni, Maoz Fine

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Rapid ocean warming due to climate change poses a serious risk to the survival of coral reefs. It is estimated that 70–90 percent of all reefs will be severely degraded by mid-century even if the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Climate Agreement is achieved. However, one coral reef ecosystem seems to be more resilient to rising sea temperatures than most others. The Red Sea’s reef ecosystem is one of the longest continuous living reefs in the world, and its northernmost portion extends into the Gulf of Aqaba. The scleractinian corals in the Gulf have an unusually high tolerance for the …

The Use Of Social Media To Advance Sports Marketing: The Atlantic Hockey Conference, Erin Claybaugh

Theses

Social media has rapidly changed the world of communications, becoming a popular area of interest to many researchers. Sports marketing has also drastically developed and gained recognition within academia. This project evaluated the use of social media by Atlantic Hockey teams through an investigation of their social media strategies and the effectiveness of their channels. With only a small focus on the Atlantic hockey conference and the widespread growth of college hockey nationally over the years, this study was proposed out of personal interest and found necessary. Research was conducted through a series of interviews with social media coordinators of …

Lymesim 2.0: An Updated Simulation Of Blacklegged Tick (Acari: Ixodidae) Population Dynamics And Enzootic Transmission Of Borrelia Burgdorferi (Spirochaetales: Spirochaetaceae), Holly Gaff, Rebecca J. Eisen, Lars Eisen, Robyn Nadolny, Jenna Bjork, Andrew J. Monaghan

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne disease in the United States, and the number of cases reported each year continues to rise. The complex nature of the relationships between the pathogen (Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto), the tick vector (Ixodes scapularis Say), multiple vertebrate hosts, and numerous environmental factors creates challenges for understanding and predicting tick population and pathogen transmission dynamics. LYMESIM is a mechanistic model developed in the late 1990s to simulate the life-history of I. scapularis and transmission dynamics of B. burgdorferi s.s. Here we present LYMESIM 2.0, a modernized version of LYMESIM, that includes …

Factors Affecting The Microbiome Of Ixodes Scapularis And Amblyomma Americanum, R. Jory Brinkerhoff, Chris Clark, Kelly Ocasio, David T. Gauthier, Wayne L. Hynes

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

The microbial community composition of disease vectors can impact pathogen establishment and transmission as well as on vector behavior and fitness. While data on vector microbiota are accumulating quickly, determinants of the variation in disease vector microbial communities are incompletely understood. We explored the microbiome of two human-biting tick species abundant in eastern North America (Amblyomma americanum and Ixodes scapularis) to identify the relative contribution of tick species, tick life stage, tick sex, environmental context and vertical transmission to the richness, diversity, and species composition of the tick microbiome. We sampled 89 adult and nymphal Ixodes scapularis (N …

Small-Scale Population Connectivity And Genetic Structure In Canada Thistle (Cirsium Arvense), Mahboubeh Hosseinalizadeh Nobarinezhad, Lavanya Challagundla, Lisa E. Wallace

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Premise of research. Population connectivity, the exchange of genes among geographically separated subpopulations, is thought to be a key process for the maintenance of genetic diversity and the survival of invasive species in newly colonized areas. Plant populations' degree of genetic connectivity, which occurs via pollen and seed dispersal, leads to different degrees of genetic admixture and genetic structure. Environmental barriers and differential selection pressures that are variable across time and space tend to alter genetic structure within and among populations via restriction or facilitation of gene flow. Canada thistle, an invasive species of the United States and Canada, is …

Phenotypic Variation Of Partridge Pea (Chamaecrista Fasciculata) From Mississippi Persists In A Common Garden, Lisa E. Wallace, Mahboubeh Hosseinalizadeh-Nobarinezhad, Robert Coltharp

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Intraspecific phenotypic variation occurs for many different reasons and understanding its basis has applications in taxonomy, ecology, and evolution. Chamaecrista fasciculata (partridge pea) is a widely distributed species with much phenotypic variation and varied interactions with other species in communities where it grows. Botanists have often noted that phenotypic variation in some traits of this species increases from north to south in the eastern United States. In this study, we grew seeds collected from five Mississippi populations in a common greenhouse environment to determine if the observed variation in leaf and stem traits is maintained in this environment. Interpopulation variation …

Apparent Resilience To Fire Of Native Bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) Communities From Upland Longleaf Pine Forests In Louisiana And Mississippi, Sara A. Simmons, Janice L. Bossart

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Controlled burning is an essential tool for restoration and management of Pinus palustris (Longleaf Pine) habitats, yet effects of controlled burning on insect species, including pollinators, are rarely considered in conservation planning. We used blue vane traps to sample native bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) at recently burned and unburned sites in 2 Longleaf Pine upland forests in Mississippi and Louisiana. Our objective was to quantify short-term effects of controlled burns given fire-return intervals of 1-2 years are now regularly employed to manage Longleaf Pine woodlands. We sampled during 2016 and 2017 and collected 1777 native bees, representing 43 species. Recent fire …

A Simple, Inexpensive Method For Mark-Recapture Of Ixodid Ticks, Alexis White, Robin Minch, Lindsey Bidder, Holly Gaff

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Mark-recapture techniques have been widely used and specialized to study organisms throughout the field of biology. To mark-recapture ticks (Ixodida), we have created a simple method to mark ticks using nail polish applied with an insect pin secured in a pencil that allows for a variety of questions to be answered. For measuring tick control efficacy, estimating population estimates, or measuring movement of ticks, this inexpensive mark-recapture method has been easily applied in the field and in the lab to provide useful data to answer a variety of questions about ticks.

Assessing Therapists’ Attitudes Toward Consensually Non-Monogamous Clients, Tara Baluck

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Despite a sizeable body of research demonstrating that consensual non-monogamy (CNM) is a viable alternative to monogamy, anti-CNM bias amongst individuals in the general population has been a consistent research finding. While more recent research on this topic has focused on CNM clients’ perceptions of their therapists’ cultural competence working with CNM clients, few studies have addressed therapists’ cultural competence or bias in working with these populations. At the time of this study’s proposal, only two studies were found which examined therapists’ attitudes directly, but these findings are more than 30 years old. The present study attempted to address this …

Evaluation Of Pediatric Acute Ulcerative Colitis Management Protocol, Samantha Simons

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Pediatric patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) represent a high-risk population with severe disease that requires hospitalization. This study evaluates the impact of implementing an acute UC management protocol on 39 pediatric patients. After analysis, significant trends were shown for admitted pediatric patients post-protocol implementation, helping to coordinate multidisciplinary care sooner during a hospital stay. The patients were more likely to have a surgical consult, and the surgical consult was completed closer upon admission. The median length of hospital stay did not change, total parenteral nutrition use was increased, and oral steroids upon discharge were decreased. Anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha was …