Digital Commons Network^™

Examining The Unique Experiences Of Underrepresented Minority Stem Faculty: How Discrimination, Microaggression, And Allyship Relate To Sense Of Relatedness, Motivation, And Perceived Success, Mojdeh J. Mardani

Theses and Dissertations

Results from empirical studies reveal underrepresented minority, URM, university faculty experience biases, discrimination, and affiliated stress that can impact multiple aspects of their work such as research performance (Fisher et al., 2019; O’Meara et al., 2020; Stolzenberg et al., 2019; Stupnisky et al., 2015), isolation, and lessened relatedness to colleagues (Zambrana et al., 2017; 2021), which may affect their motivation to conduct research. This dissertation is a collection of three separate but complementary research studies examining the effects of various forms of discrimination and the role of allyship in shaping the motivation of URM faculty members to engage in research, …

Evaluation Of Water Content Measurement Model 3000 Probe (Wcm-3000) Using The Nasa Impacts Dataset, Jennifer Rose Moore

Theses and Dissertations

The introduction of the Water Content Measurement probe (WCM-3000) onto the NASA P-3 aircraft during the NASA Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) 2022 and 2023 field campaign raises opportunity for measurement comparisons between liquid water content instruments. Instrument comparisons are done between the King hot-wire probe, the WCM-3000, and the Cloud Droplet Probe (CDP) using the IMPACTS 2023 field campaign data. Case studies are analyzed in three cloud conditions; liquid water clouds with droplets less than 50 µm, supercooled liquid water clouds with droplets less than 50 µm, and ice phase clouds. The WCM-3000 and …

An Exploration Of The Meaning Of The Phenomenon Of Hope, In The Context Of Hopelessness, For Rural Frontline Registered Nurses In South Dakota, North Dakota, And Minnesota During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Stephanie Jean Orth

Theses and Dissertations

Background & Purpose: This study’s purpose was to understand what the phenomenon of hope meant to rural critical access hospital RNs in three Midwest states, and what gave them hope during the COVID-19 pandemic. The full scope of the pandemic on the rural nursing workforce is unknown. Prior research has shown that hope can be a positive tool for sustaining psychological well-being, setting and achieving goals, and can facilitate coping (Collins, Bhathal, Field, Larlee, Paje, & Young, 2018; Hacimusalar, Kahve, & Aydin, 2020; Persell, 2016; Snyder, 1995). Methods: Ten participants were interviewed using a semi-structured, interpretive hermeneutic phenomenological approach. van …

Effects Of Climate Extremes On Snow Processes And Modeled Recharge To A Shallow Aquifer, Julian Giannini Niewiaroski

Theses and Dissertations

The Northern Great Plains (NGP), which can be broadly defined as the portion of the Great Plains north of Nebraska, undergoes decadal-scale climatic change in the form of drought and deluge cycles. These are broad, long-term cycles, that are not always well-defined, as has been the case recently. Since 2012, there have been one or two dry years followed by one or two wet years. Conversely, before 2012, there was a well-defined wet period between 2005-2011, preceded by a well-defined dry period from 1999-2004. Understanding drought-deluge cycles is critical to predicting aquifer recharge and groundwater retention, which directly affects how …

Thematic Content Analysis Exploring American Indian Suicidality, Todd E. Phelps

Theses and Dissertations

This research project aimed to explore the trajectory of suicide within one tribal nation, the Sioux. The researcher attempted to identify risk factor significance, create new factors current research may be lacking, and gain saturated context for suicide from Siouan-affiliated individuals. Suicidality was explored in two phases. Phase one required individual participants to classify and rank potential life stressors (PLS). Phase two included another round of classification in addition to thematic content analysis within an expert panelist setting. Phases were completed by three different panel groups. Panel one included individuals who have attempted suicide, panel two included a group of …

Application Of Artificial Treatment Wetland Systems In The English Coulee, Michael Anthony Rosati

Theses and Dissertations

Artificial treatment wetlands are commonly used for treating urban stormwater runoffand surface waters affected by agricultural runoff. While this method is well-established, its effectiveness can vary based on environmental, design, and hydraulic factors. In Grand Forks, ND, the English Coulee, a hydraulically altered class III stream, is currently experiencing elevated nutrient pollution, specifically nitrates and phosphates. Implementing a floating treatment wetland (FTW) system in the English Coulee is a potential solution. This paper analyzes the feasibility and requirements for a 4.64 ha FTW to achieve a minimum of 50% nutrient removal, utilizing comprehensive modeling approaches. Through HEC-HMS and HECRAS simulations, …

Application Of High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry In Lignin Model Compound Degradation And Forensic Determination Of Clonazepam And Flunitrazepam In Necrophagous Insect And Liver, Zeinab Rabiei Taemeh

Theses and Dissertations

High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (HPLC-MS) is a versatile technique that has vast applications in analytical chemistry, specifically for the identification, quantitation, and mass analysis of components. This study outlines an exploration of HPLC-MS applications, focusing on its utilization in two distinct areas: lignin degradation studies and forensic investigations.Lignin degradation: Most of the previous studies on lignin degradation, employed gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for product characterization. Most lignin model compounds, which are widely used in lignin valorization studies, are either not GC-elutable or have low thermal stability. In this work we investigated HPLC-MS as an alternative method, which offers a simultaneous …

Trauma Education In Social Work Curricula: An Innovative Approach To The Teaching Of Trauma-Informed Care, Jennifer M. Schlinger

Theses and Dissertations

Many professionals, especially social workers, work with individuals who have a history of or are experiencing trauma. If students understand the trauma their clients have experienced, they are better suited to meet the individual where they are and help them work towards their goals. Social work professors must prepare their students by instructing them about different types of traumatic experiences, the impacts, assessment tools, and various intervention strategies. I used a qualitative research approach and document analysis to understand how social work programs incorporate education related to trauma and trauma-informed practice into their curricula. This method allowed me to gain …

The Impact Of A Palliative Care Symptom Screening Program On Cancer Pain In An Acute Care Setting, Brett Snodgrass

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Pain is a commonly encountered symptom associated with cancer. Palliative care providers are specially trained to manage pain and other symptoms. Standardizing the use of a screening tool for pain assessment and treatment is important in managing this patient population. The purpose of the Doctor of Nursing project was to standardize pain screening in cancer patients within a palliative care program to improve pain identification, rapid implementation of pain therapies, and ongoing monitoring of pain. Included in the project was a multidisciplinary palliative care team, located at Baptist Healthcare Corporation in Memphis, TN. A clinical practice change was implemented in …

Attitudes, Subjective Norms, And Perceived Behavioral Control Of Perianesthesia Nurses' Intentions To Engage In Mindful Self-Care, Brenda Sanya

Theses and Dissertations

Study Purpose and Design: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships among attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions to engage in mindful self-care among nurses working in the perianesthesia setting. The study utilized cross-sectional design and was guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior. Methods: Modified Theory of Planned Behavior questionnaire and Mindful Self Care Scale were utilized for data collection among 85 perianesthesia nurses using a survey through the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN). Findings: Regression analyses demonstrated that attitude (β=0.51, t=5.63, p=0.001) and self-compassion and purpose (β=0.29, t=2.54, p=0.013) were significant factors …

Quantification Of Rigidity And Synthesis Of Cyclobutane Bisimide Building Blocks, Joseph Earl Mcgilligan Robertson

Theses and Dissertations

The quantification of a molecule’s conformational rigidity was achieved via development of a new measure called the Rigidity Factor, Rg_f. This value is a unit interval wherein molecules with corresponding Rg_f values closer to 1 are rigid and values closer to 0 are more flexible. The value is determined as a ratio between the molecule’s Van der Waals volume, V_W, and it’s Van der Waals potential volume, VWpot. The V_Wpot was defined as the minimum total volume occupied by a rotamer ensemble of the molecule which has been aligned according to the RMSD for …

Distracted, Bored, And Disengaged: How To Reengage Gen Z Learners In The Secondary School Classroom, Sharon Kay Stout

Theses and Dissertations

With a plethora of digital tools at their disposal and knowledge at their fingertips, Generation Z students must be engaged in ways that differ from previous generations of students. Using Ryan and Deci’s (2000, 2020) self-determination theory and the Student Engagement Core model proposed by Bundick et al. (2014), this qualitative research study used semi-structured interviews and focus groups to research the best ways to engage Gen Z students in a classroom setting. Data was coded using thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006), with the self-determination theory’s three tenets, relatedness, autonomy, and competence, serving as the initial coding framework. Results …

In A Free, Rural Primary Care Practice : Implementation And Evaluation Of A Depression Screening Tool For Adult Individuals In Rural Primary Care, Amy Snow

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

There is a high prevalence of depression in the rural primary care population. This project aimed to identify patients suffering from depression in a rural primary care clinic. The project’s goal was to improve the diagnosis and treatment of major depression in adults through the implementation of the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Follow-up visits were conducted over a 12-week period to assess patients’ response to pharmacotherapy and/or psychotherapy established by the current American Psychological Association guidelines. Identification of depression through the use of screening protocols assists in appropriate diagnosis and treatment plans. The project …

Use Of Lidar And Synthetic Bathymetry To Develop Stream Cross Sections For Alternative Modeling Of Streamflow In North Dakota Using Hec-Ras: A Case Study On The Tongue River In North Dakota, James Brennan Sullivan

Theses and Dissertations

Analysis of streamflow levels is critical to flood protection and management. Computer modeling software such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hydraulic Engineering Center River Analysis System (HEC-RAS) is used to calculate water surface elevations for statistical or historical flows. A key element of modeling river hydraulics is the development of one-dimensional (1-D) cross sections or two-dimensional (2-D) terrain from elevation data. Airborne LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is now commonly used to collect high-density digital elevation model (DEM) data. Models developed from near-infrared LiDAR DEMs alone however, do not have bathymetry since the LiDAR pulses are adversely affected …

The Mysterious Mu Wave: The Effects Of Tdcs On Visuomotor Integration And Processing, Jessica Lynn Van Bree

Theses and Dissertations

Visuomotor integration is the coordination of neuronal activity between the motor- and vision-related parts of the brain that influence behavior and perception, resulting in a motor reaction (Shin et al. 2016). Previous studies have demonstrated that longitudinal training of oculomotor, visual, attentional, and motor skills produce significant improvements of visuomotor integration and control in healthy subjects. Within healthy populations, transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been found to facilitate visuomotor learning, motion processing, and the coordination and accuracy of motor movement (Antal et al., 2004; Coffmann et al., 2014). As such, tDCS may be an appropriate addition to the rehabilitation …

Implementation Of A Body Dysmorphic Disorder Screening Protocol In An Aesthetic Office Prior To Rhinoplasty, Katherine Dellangelo

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

In aesthetic clinical settings, screening for body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) in rhinoplasty patients prior to surgery is not a common practice. Body dysmorphic disorder is a psychiatric illness characterized by the preoccupation and fixation of a perceived physical defect. This distortion in self-perception forces numerous individuals to seek out repeated, unnecessary cosmetic procedures. Many surgeons rely on experience and intuition alone when assessing their patients for procedure appropriateness, which may result in unnecessary cosmetic procedures on patients at risk for worsening BDD symptoms. Implementation of a validated screening tool, such as the Body Dysmorphic Disorder Questionnaire (BDDQ), offers providers an …

Experimental Investigation Of Thermal Maturation Processes Of Bakken Formation And Their Impact On Organic Matter And Mechanical Properties, Chioma Judith Onwumelu

Theses and Dissertations

Early development of the Bakken Petroleum System recognized the significance of source rock maturation and the onset of oil generation in determining the geographic limits of production. This research project aims to confirm the role of thermal maturation as the dominant mechanism in controlling the oil generation of the Bakken Shale. Additionally, the purpose ofthis research is to test the influence of thermal maturation on the geochemical and mechanical properties of the Bakken Shale. To conduct these investigations, samples from 2-BRENDEN 9-33 1-M, a well in the North Dakota part of the Williston Basin that has experienced the least thermal …

Implementing A Standardized Sexual History Screening Tool For Sti And Hiv Prevention, Francis Kovac

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Timely sexually transmitted illness (STI) testing, treatment, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention in primary and urgent care can be done with proper screenings. Sexual history screenings are not conducted thoroughly in the primary and urgent care setting due to lack of provider training, provider and patient comfort, social stigmas, and the unavailability of a proper screening tool. A sexual history screening tool that identified high-risk sexual behaviors for timely STI testing, treatment, and HIV prevention was implemented within an integrated health clinic focusing on primary and urgent care patients aged 18-64. Eleven providers were asked to participate in the …

Enhancement Of The Performance Of Lignin-Derived Hard Carbons For Battery Applications By Chemical Pretreatment, Ruiqing Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

Because of lignin's renewable and low-cost characteristics, lignin-derived hard carbons have been extensively studied as electrode materials for energy storage applications. However, the formation of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) during the first cycle in electrode materials and the loss of lithium/sodium ions during long-term cycling has a fatal impact on the performance of batteries. Recent technology is needed to improve lignin-based electrode materials' initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE).

In this study, pre-lithiation/pre-sodiation through the spontaneous chemical reaction between the aryl etherification reagent was used to improve the low ICE of the lignin-based anode material. Our results show that the ICE of …

Improving Coronavirus Recognition And Management In Adults In The Primary Care Setting : A Practice Change Project, Kira Bloxom

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Coronavirus-19 has been recognized worldwide as a respiratory illness that extended into a global pandemic in 2020. Despite the consistency of new reported diagnoses, many are eager to resume pre-pandemic life with less caution to the virus and its effect on healthcare. This project evaluated the use of a management protocol to improve Coronavirus-19 screening, testing, diagnosing, and treatment among adult patients in a primary care setting in Alabama. The project was implemented by two nurse practitioners, two medical assistants, and two clinic receptionists. Designed as a clinical practice change project, this intervention evaluated the following outcomes: staff knowledge level …

Land Acquistion For Flood Adaptation Under Changing Climate, Jiyang Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

Flood has caused tremendous life and economic losses over the past few decades and is expected to cause more in the future under the effects of climate change and socioeconomic development. With limited resources, cost-effective adaptation policies are urgently needed to minimize the economic and social impacts of future floods. The increasing flood losses and recent catastrophic flood events around the world expose two major issues of current flood adaptation schemes: 1) Flood risks are not well captured and predicted under climate change, leaving many communities unprepared for potential extreme flood events; 2) Current flood adaptation measures focus on the …

Conducting Fog Research And Abatement Using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Uas), Michael Douglas Willette

Theses and Dissertations

The tremendous safety and monetary impacts of long-duration fog events continue to spur interest in its anthropogenic dissipation. With the emergence of the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) platform and the development of miniaturized atmospheric sensors, more efficient methods of fog research and anthropogenic fog dispersal may be achieved. The feasibility of a supercooled fog dispersal project in the Red River Valley and the efficacy of using the UAS platform to acquire in-situ fog microphysical data are explored. A 30-year climatology of the Red River Valley indicates increased supercooled fog potential between early November through early April, peaking in March. Five …

Indigenous Long-Term Supports And Services – Elders, Traditional Knowledge, And Tree Rings, Cole Allick

Theses and Dissertations

American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Elders are rapidly aging and are a growing segment of Indian Country. Elders are critical to knowledge dissemination and enable the resiliency of Indigenous peoples through their teachings, wisdom, and guidance. There is a dire need to better understand and prepare for this rapidly aging population given that reliable data is limited or simply nonexistent. This dissertation in practice utilizes a framework inspired by Indigenous teachings of the Medicine Wheel and from the social ecological model to address the literature gap regarding Elders and healthy aging. This framework was created with intention that each …

Building Personal Friendships In A Multicultural Society, Fatemah Almadani

Theses and Dissertations

Friendship ranks highly among the social issues that develop and creates a stable andprosperous society. However, people tend to focus more on individuals who share social values while making friends. On the other hand, in a multicultural society, people work, leave, or learn together to share such values. The diversity of the origin of people living in the United States (US), especially in major cities, varies significantly regarding race, ethnicity, and religion, resulting in super-diverse urban setups. This study examined the multicultural friendship between international Arab students studying in the US and their American counterparts. The study was guided by …

Applying Human Error Framework To Explore Prevention Strategies For Wrong Surface Events, William Bowers

Theses and Dissertations

Wrong surface events are a serious and ongoing risk to aviation safety in the United States National Airspace System. A wrong surface event occurs when an aircraft lands, departs or attempts to land or depart from a surface other than the intended landing or takeoff, also including aircraft landing at the wrong airport. This research examined the contextual factors that contributed to human error ultimately leading to wrong surface events, assessed the efficacy of technology that can be used to prevent, and aviation professional’s awareness of wrong surface events in order to determine prevention strategies that can reduce occurrences in …

Spectral Classification Of Eight Stars In Open Cluster Ngc 457, Anthony Braden

Theses and Dissertations

This project aimed to perform spectral analysis and classification on eight target stars in the open star cluster NGC 457 with the University of North Dakota Space Studies Observatory. Selected targets came from a search in the SIMBAD database with a radius of two arcseconds around the cluster's center. The eight brightest stars in the visual spectrum were chosen, which did not have luminosity classifications. Six observing sessions were performed over two years to maximize data quality, given the unpredictability of terrestrial observations. Spectral data were acquired in both high- and low-resolution mode. The spectral data were calibrated and analyzed …

Stroke Survivors’ And Informal Caregivers’ Perceptions Of Depressive Symptoms After Stroke: A Mixed-Methods Sequential Explanatory Study, Tanya Leigh Breckenridge-Trotter

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Poststroke depression (PSD) is a frequently occurring complication of stroke that affects up to 30% of all stroke survivors in the first 24 months after stroke. PSD has been correlated with increases in hospital length of stay and hospital costs, increased physical morbidity and mortality, the risk for recurrent stroke at one year, decreased functional outcome, decreased cognitive function, and decreased quality of life post stroke. Estimates are >50% stroke survivors with depressive symptoms are left untreated due to lack of recognition. Moreover, depression in family caregivers of stroke survivors may negatively influence stroke recovery and stroke survivor quality …

Women Of Asian Descent’S Experiences Of Racism And Sexual Objectification: An Examination Of Racially Expanded Sexual Objectification Model, Hohyung Choi

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Despite of the apparent mental health disparities in the U.S. women of Asian descent population, less is known about the compounding effects of their experiences of gendered racism and sexism on their mental health. The majority of the existing literature, albeit limited, hinges on a nomothetic framework, overlooking the intra-group differences and the intersectionality of gender and racial identities. Objective: The overarching aim of the present study was to examine a racially expanded sexual objectification model in effort to understand women of Asian descent’s racialized and gendered experiences in relation to their overall subjective well-being. Method: A community sample …

Self-Identification From The Professional And Social Perspectives Of Flight, Carly Lane Crockett

Theses and Dissertations

The development of one’s identity is connected to the level of effort willing to be committed to goal achievement. Per Velleman (2006), what someone cares about, determines what they must do for survival (p.336). While identity has been dissected, the applicability of connection for social and professional ties within aviation has not been thoroughly processed. General aviation flying and that of airline pilots has been compared regarding skill and safety association, but not in identity construction. A population of airline pilots was researched, that may or may not have been actively participating GA, with attempt to establish factor recognition of …

Religion-Justified Childhood Maltreatment And Adult Psychological Maladjustment, Hannah Doctor

Theses and Dissertations

The perpetrator of religion justified child abuse relies on spiritual beliefs (religious texts, context, or authority) to justify acts of maltreatment. This form of abuse can be manifested in many different contexts including infamous scandals of sexual abuse committed by catholic priests and the physical/sexual/emotional maltreatment occurring at Native American or other boarding schools for troubled youth. Parents and caretakers often claim "to spare the rod is to spoil the child”. Previous research has suggested that maladjustment outcomes after traumatic events are less severe among victims with strong religious beliefs. This study hypothesized that religious justified abuse would be associated …