Digital Commons Network^™

Examining The Impact And Implementation Of Protected Administrative Time On Provider Well-Being And Service Delivery Indicators Within A Multi-State Network Of Primary Care Medical Practices, Lauren Junge-Maughan

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Background:

Primary care is integral to achieving high-quality health outcomes for the population and decreasing healthcare costs. However, primary care clinicians suffer from conflicting demands, impossible expectations, and burdensome processes. With burnout and mental fatigue increasing, leadership must find innovative programs to implement in their organizations. This mixed-methods research study assessed the impact of one such intervention, protected administrative time (PRAT), on improving provider well-being.

Purpose:

The first aim was to evaluate the association of PRAT on the service delivery indicators of primary care clinicians’ productivity, average appointments per day, patient satisfaction (likelihood to recommend), clinician time to the next …

The Schooling Experiences Of First-Generation Afro Caribbean Women Educated (Schooled) In The Southeastern United States, Sonya Griffin

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

To address the lack of culturally specific research on subgroups of Black women in the educational environment and Haitian immigrant women in U.S. educational institutions, the study documented the educational experiences of four Haitian women who immigrated to the United States and obtained degrees in U.S. universities. Using a narrative interview research design, this qualitative study collected data from four Haitian immigrant women who were first-generation college graduates through individual interviews and a focus group discussion. Data analysis involved coding to identify emerging themes. Using the two tenets of Black feminist theory, lived experiences as knowledge and intersectionality, the research …

Investigating Division Quest: A Text-Based Adventure Narrative Game For Overcoming Difficulties Of Mitosis Learning, Amanda G. Conner

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Mitosis learning is a source of struggle for many introductory biology students. Much of this difficulty stems from an overwhelming amount of terminology and moving pieces as well as the abstract nature of cellular processes. Game-based learning (GBL) has been used in other contexts to reduce cognitive load and provide relatable experiences upon which students can construct their mental models. However, commercial GBL is often expensive and difficult to align with individual instructor teaching preferences and learning objectives. In this study, we use a mixed methods approach to explore the use of a GBL tool made in Twine to overcome …

Aggressive And Non-Aggressive Behaviors In Mixed And Non-Mixed Dorymyrmex Smithi And Dorymyrmex Bureni Colonies Of Southeastern Georgia, Usa, Renee K. Nowicki

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Dorymyrmex species, ‘pyramid’ or ‘cone’ ants, are Dolichoderines distributed across North America. Two relatively well-studied species, Dorymyrmex smithi and Dorymyrmex bureni, are commonly found throughout southeastern Georgia. These species are part of a socially parasitic relationship while simultaneously having starkly different colony structures. Dorymyrmex smithi is a polydomous, polygynous species with colonies that are often expansive, at times having hundreds to thousands of nests per colony. Dorymyrmex smithi is a temporary social parasite of D. bureni, a monodomous, monogynous species. The specific mechanism of this parasitism is currently unknown. Preliminary behavioral assay data from a limited number of …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Spousal Labor Migration And The Postpartum Experiences Of Women In Nepal, Sandhya Lohani

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Labor migration is a prevalent phenomenon in Nepal, with many men leaving the country searching for employment opportunities, often leaving their families behind. This study explores the impact of this migration on women's postpartum experiences, including factors such as emotional support, financial strain, and childcare responsibilities. A qualitative approach was used, conducting interviews of 31(16 women with labor-migrant spouses and 15 with non-migrant spouses) to gather insights into the unique challenges faced by the two groups of women during the postpartum period. The findings highlight the significant differences in postpartum experiences between women with migrant spouses and those without, shedding …

Hillbilly Bands: Southern Rock's Impact On Southern Identity In The 1970s, John H. Hartman

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Music has always been a conduit in which its artists are able to voice their views, influences, desires, and heartbreaks to a wide audience. Southern Rock is no different. The emergence and popularity of the genre in the 1970s is not a coincidence, but rather a reflection of the South during this time. The South as a whole was changing due to the passage of the Civil Rights Act, ending Jim Crow Laws and denouncing racial oppression throughout the nation. For the South, This meant drastic changes to their society and the slow recognition of the racially oppressive ideals that …

Evaluation Of The Navy Shipshape Program At A Large Navy Military Treatment Facility: A Comprehensive Swot Analysis Approach, Nia Nur Maye

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

The increasing problem of obesity among Navy service members (SMs) is a public health concern that impacts operational readiness and health risks. To combat obesity, the Navy has an official weight management initiative called ShipShape. This project aimed to conduct a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) analysis of ShipShape at a large Military Treatment Facility (MTF) in Portsmouth, Virginia. This program evaluation aimed to identify the internal and external factors that influenced the program's effectiveness to propose suggestions for improvement. Using quantitative and qualitative methods, the evaluation focused on conducting a paired t-test to analyze changes in Body Mass …

(A.D.D.)Ing Curriculum: A Narrative Inquiry Into The Experiences Of Teachers With Attention-Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder In Challenging Educational Spaces, Daniel Szokoly

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study explores the experiences of teachers with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Specifically, it focuses on how their neurodevelopmental disorder impacts their teaching practice, their ability to form relationships, and how they interact with the spaces they inhabit. Using tools of narrative inquiry and critical disability narrative such as observations, interviews, artifacts, etc., I have gathered and analyzed the stories of my four participants who have been diagnosed with ADHD, including myself, over a period of eight months in order to create a framework within which to shine a light on these teachers' experiences. Theoretically, my dissertation draws upon critical …

An Exploration Of The Race And Gender Representations In Professional Wrestling In The United States: A Qualitative Case Study, Luther P. Lucas

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Professional Wrestling has long perpetuated stereotypical representations of race and gender through its performers and the storylines in which they participate. While the popularity of professional wrestling has varied over the years, its impact on popular culture has persisted for decades. This study focuses on the race and gender representations present in storylines and texts in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Through critical multicultural analysis, a conceptual framework built upon curriculum studies and critical media literacy, this study explored the dominant social structures in professional wrestling. Findings were that women are often relegated to secondary roles and Black males are regularly …

Stability Analysis Of Vertical Industrial Pressure Vessel Resting On Load Cells Subjected To A Seismic Load., Kameron W. Nez

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Instability of structures, such as large vertical pressure vessels, is always an issue under the seismic load. In this current work, the acceleration that causes instability for a vertical pressure vessel has been determined experimentally using scaled models. This instability is caused by the tipping of the tall structure that is not completely fixed to the ground. This method is applied for three different sizes of pressure vessels, representing 50 CuFt to 1100 CuFt full scale models. These experimental results are compared with theoretical models. Using dimensional analysis, the accelerations that will cause the instability in the actual full-size models …

Evaluating Reactive Gliosis In The Brain Of Adult Zebrafish Following The Ingestion Of Nanopolystyrene., Hannah A. Kelehear

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Polystyrene nanoplastics are one of the most pervasive environmental contaminants and have been shown to infiltrate multiple organ systems following ingestion. Studies in several animal models and humans have demonstrated that nanoplastics can cross the blood-brain barrier. Additionally, there is evidence that plastics will induce an inflammatory response in the brain involving reactive gliosis of microglia and astrocytes. This process has yet to be thoroughly investigated in the zebrafish model system in the context of micro-/nanoplastic ingestion. In the current study, we examined microglial and astrocytic phenotypes in the adult zebrafish telencephalon after consuming food contaminated with 44 nm polystyrene …

Beyond The Strong Black Woman: Navigating Resilience And Mental Health Using Social Media For Culturally Tailored Resources, Muchaneta N.M. Chikawa

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Society views the strength of Black women as commendable as it shows positive qualities such as resilience and perseverance. While these traits are characterized as positive, Black women’s survival in American society has heavily depended on their strength, resulting in mental health illnesses such as anxiety and depression. The idea that Black women must exude strength and fortitude through adversity is labeled the Strong Black Woman Schema (SBWS). The SBWS is a race-gender schema that prescribes culturally-specific feminine expectations for Black women.

There are limited culturally-tailored resources for Black women to address mental health at collegiate institutions. As a result …

Aeroelastic Phenomena Of Fixed-Wing Aircraft In Transonic And Supersonic Flows Using A Tightly-Coupled Computational Approach, John C. Havenar

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Aeroelastic phenomena encountered during flight have considerable effects on the aerodynamic characteristics of fixed-wing aircraft. Transonic aeroelastic phenomena are often characterized by unique flow features which have complex ramifications for aircraft in transonic flight. Computational study of high-speed aeroelastic phenomena requires a fully-coupled aeroelastic algorithm. A series of wing designs are studied with a computational finite volume method solver accompanied by a finite element method solver for the calculation of structural deformation. The computational model for the flow field is validated with experimental data. Modeled flight conditions include transonic flows with bordering subsonic and supersonic cases included for completeness. The …

A Muse In A Minefield: Poets, Pedagogy, And The Practice Of Liberation, Fran Dundore

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In this poetic inquiry I share my experiences as a public educator within the contexts of aesthetics, identity, and power. Reflecting and inquiring poetically on nearly thirty years of public practice and leadership, I consider my personal experiences and conversations with current teachers and call them into action to speak up about the ramifications of this current political climate on their curriculum and their pedagogy. I focus on the works of poets and theorists such as Oliver (1986, 1992, 1998 & 2011), Whitman (1855, 1892), Hughes (1951) Counts (1932), Rosenblatt (1978 &1995), Freire (1970, 1974 & 1978), and Greene (1973, …

Can We Talk About Sex? Exploring Teacher Preparedness Of Comprehensive Sex Education Delivery In Southeast Georgia, Tanya Jules

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

In 2022, the CDC estimated that youth and adolescents between the ages of 15 through 24 accounted for almost half of the 2.5 million cases of sexually transmitted infections in the United States. Teachers who deliver accurate sexual health information increase the accessibility of pertinent details to adolescents during crucial years of cognitive development, which could decrease adverse sexual health outcomes among youth. The utilization of a Comprehensive Sex Education (CSE) curriculum addresses all parts of sexual health by covering topics ranging from physical, biological, emotional, and social aspects of sexuality. However, educators who provide sexual health education must follow …

Investigation Of Topologically Protected Wave Propagation Near Dirac-Like Cones In Acoustic Metamaterials, Md Arif Iqbal Khan

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study presents a novel approach to investigate an exceptionally rare acoustic phenomenon – topologically protected wave propagation (TPWP) within a solid-solid domain. While previous research has attempted to unravel the physics behind this phenomenon, most efforts have been grounded in the framework of condensed matter physics and quantum mechanics often requiring complex geometries to realize TPWP in solid-fluid interactions. In contrast, this thesis introduces a geometric tuning method that enables the achievement of TPWP with simpler geometric configurations within a solid-solid domain. Rather than explaining by the quantum trio - quantum anomalous hall effect, quantum valley hall effect, and …

Detecting Bearing Race Defects With Inductive Magnetic Reluctance Sensors And Artificial Neural Networks, Collin Daly

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This work proposes a method of detecting physical damage to bearing races in a rotational assembly by means of magnetic reluctance sensors generating a signal from a rotating gear-tooth wheel. A nominally sinusoidal signal is generated based on the rotation of a gearwheel with regularly spaced voids and lands. Detection is based on the time variance of the signal periodically in relation to the gearwheel and the bearing damage. The purpose of this work is to propose a process to detect and classify bearing race defects using existing sensors and neural networks for hazardous area equipment applications.

Hoodies In The Halls Of Power: A Rhetorical Materialist Critique Of Professional Decorum In The United States Senate, Ryan Cheek, Samuel T. Allen

English and Technical Communication Faculty Research & Creative Works

This brief paper explores the controversy surrounding Senator John Fetterman's sartorial choices of casual attire in the hyper-professionalized space of the United States Senate. Fetterman's clothing choices transcend mere fashion; they embody a statement of class identity and challenge the established power dynamics within the Senate. His attire reflects Pittsburgh's industrial and labor-oriented history, in contrast to the conventional, affluent image most associated with politicians. Although controversial, Fetterman's white male privilege minimized the consequences of his indecorous behavior. The reactions to Fetterman's attire highlight the debate over what constitutes appropriate professional decorum, unveiling the underlying biases and demonstrating how something …

The Impact Of Journalistic Cultures On Social Media Discourse: Us Primary Debates In Cross-Lingual Online Spaces, Lea Hellmueller, Lindita Camaj, Sebastián Vallejo Vera, Peggy Lindner

Engineering Management and Systems Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This cross-lingual project examines how social media posts of Spanish- and English-language media impact incivility in user comments during the 2020 primary political debates in the United States. We analyzed Facebook posts of news organizations that hosted the debates and used a state-of-the-art machine-learning model to analyze the corresponding comments. Our findings reveal distinct journalistic cultures on the post-level: English-language media are significantly more likely to use interpretation while Spanish-language media employ more audience-engagement and factual reporting strategies. We argue that in order to understand incivility in social media discourse during political debates, we need to consider journalistic cultures: While …

Cultural Competency And “The Space Between Spaces”, Charles Wright, Ho-Jui Tung

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Hitting The Right Spot: How Inclusion Of Pleasure In Sexual Education Can Lead To Safer Sex Practices, Jessica Guerrette, Tara Hassani Goodarzi, Joanne Chopak-Foss, Logan Cowan

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

From Taboo To Legalization: Cannabis’S Complex Role During Crucial Maternal And Child Health Periods, Emmanuela Nwaonumah, Alisha Riggins, Sarah Sejoro, Joanne Chopak-Foss, Logan Cowan

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Digital Health Disparities And The Unmet Challenges Of Access And Literacy, Pranavi Akkinepally, Jackie Mesenbrink, Tilicia Mayo-Gamble

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Advocacy: Public Health In Its Truest Form, Tobi Oloyede, Wandoo Abwa, Katie M. Mercer

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Faculty Mentoring Of High School Students: Exploring Benefits And Drawbacks, Riya Daftari, Yelena Tarasenko

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Mhealth For Tuberculosis Treatment Adherence And Improving Tb Care In Lmics, Foram Patel, Gulzar H. Shah

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Damsels In Distress: How Misogynistic Views Affect Chronic Pain Diagnosis In Women, Jessica Guerrette, Olivia A. Sheppard, Logan Cowan

Eagles Talking About the Public’s Health

No abstract provided.

Lidar Technology For Future Wireless Networks: Use Cases And Challenges, Omar Rinchi, Ahmad Alsharoa

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Next-generation wireless networks are beset with challenges such as line-of-sight (LoS) shadowing and multipath scattering, significantly impacting service quality and reliability. Despite technological advances aimed at mitigating these issues, achieving consistent quality of service (QoS) standards continues to be an uphill task, particularly within the ever-changing urban landscapes and the intricate process of melding new technologies with pre-existing infrastructures. This paper delves into the integration of light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensors as a novel solution to these persistent problems. We explore two potential use cases of LiDAR integration in wireless networks, offering detailed insights into the underlying motivation, technical …

A Hybrid Model-Based Data-Driven Framework For The Electromagnetic Near-Field Scanning, Yanming Zhang, Lijun Jiang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This article presents a novel hybrid approach for electromagnetic near-field scanning, combining model-based, i.e., Gaussian processes regression, and data-driven, i.e., dynamic mode decomposition, techniques. We first leverage the Latin hypercube sampling technique to achieve spatially sparse measurements. Subsequently, dynamic mode decomposition is applied to analyze the resulting spatiotemporal data with sparse spatial sampling, enabling the extraction of both frequency information and sparse dynamic modes. Finally, the Gaussian processes regression, also known as the Kriging method, is adopted for the full-state reconstruction. The proposed hybrid approach is benchmarked by an example of the crossed dipole antennas. The obtained results demonstrate that …

Impact Of Ai On The Hri Dynamic In Search And Rescue Operations Using Uav Swarms, Jordan Morrow, Maciej Jan Zawodniok, Anhar Sami Mohammed

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Artificial intelligence (AI) offers significant benefits in search and rescue applications by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the search. However, an over-reliance on AI can hinder the operation due to biases embedded in the underlying algorithms. This partiality, if left un-monitored, can pose a risk to the safety of those in need of disaster relief. Typically manifests into inaccuracies in the decision-making processes and if not carefully monitored can cause larger issues. This paper extends the knowledge presented in a previous work, which presents the design and modeling of search and rescue operations using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) swarms. …