Digital Commons Network^™

First-Principles Insights Into Binary Oxide Systems Under Extreme Pressure, Daniel Schacher

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Pressure is powerful tool by which one can manipulate the properties of materials. In this work we utilize pressure to explore binary oxide systems and characterize their structural and electronic properties. The observation of anomalous structural and electronic behavior in the rutile to CaCl2 phase transition in SnO2 led to the prediction that such behavior is inherent to all oxides experiencing such a phase transition sequence.[1] Here, the ultra-wide band gap semiconductor GeO2 is confirmed to exhibit anomalous behavior during the rutile to CaCl2 phase transition. A phase pure rutile GeO2 sample synthesized under high-pressure, high-temperature, conditions is probed using …

Quantum Sensing Of Magnetic And Thermal Fields Using Nitrogen-Vacancy Centers On Spoof Surface Plasmon Waveguides, Maxwell Stonham

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in nanodiamonds are solid-state quantum defects capable of detecting magnetic fields and temperature at the nanoscale with high spatial resolution and optical addressability at room temperature. Their spin-dependent fluorescence enables optically detected magnetic resonance (ODMR), a technique widely used for quantum sensing. However, enhancing optical readout efficiency remains a critical challenge for scalable integration and various methods can be used to improve this.

This thesis explores a hybrid quantum sensing platform that integrates NV-based sensing with spoof surface plasmon waveguides designed to enhance optical excitation and emission efficiency through localized spoof plasmon modes supported by subwavelength corrugated …

Plant Preservation: The Contribution Of Bacteriophage And Transposons To Pathogenic Xanthomonas Evolution, And The Demographic And Reproductive Analysis Of Castilleja Parvula, Ciara A. Green

Theses and Dissertations

Plant preservation, whether through disease research or endemic extinction analyses, plays an important role in the relationship between humans and our surrounding environment. In these analyses, both the role of mobile elements in the evolution of pathogenic Xanthomonas sp. bacteria, and the demographic and reproductive analysis of Castilleja parvula, an imperiled alpine plant, are evaluated. Xanthomonas species are one of the top agricultural threats, and are known to evolve rapidly. Until now, the contributions of mobile elements and particularly bacteriophage have not been thoroughly evaluated. The contribution of these agricultural diseases to food insecurity and the devastation of crops that …

Inelastic Behavior Of Three-Story Buildings With Concrete-Filled Composite Plate Shear Walls Subjected To Wind Loads, Joshua John Blom

Theses and Dissertations

Although elastic design of the main wind force resisting system in a building is the conventional approach it is not always desirable. In this study, nonlinear static and dynamic analyses are used to predict the inelastic behavior of a three-story building with concrete-filled composite plate shear walls subjected to wind loads. To explore the potential for inelastic design, two types of planar composite shear wall buildings are examined: individual shear walls designed using an elastic approach, and coupled shear wall pairs designed using an inelastic approach adopted from seismic design provisions. Nonlinear static "pushover" analyses are run using an assumed …

Experimental Testing Of Axially Loaded Fuse Plates Without Continuous Buckling Restraint, Rebekah Elizabeth Higgins

Theses and Dissertations

Current seismic design practice is to design structures to avoid collapse and protect life. Buildings are designed to resist seismic loading through strength and ductility. In moment frames, this ductility traditionally comes from inelastic deformation of beams. Moment frame connections move inelastic deformation away from the column and allow a plastic hinge to form in the beam. This plastic hinge prevents collapse but leaves the building difficult to repair. Some proprietary moment frame connections address this issue with replaceable fuse plate connections. These fuse plate connections move the plastic hinge out of the beam and into the replaceable fuse, allowing …

Using It And Accounting Education Pedagogy To Address Smaller Firms' Cybersecurity Concerns, Darlene A. Adkins, William Lyle, Walter Smith

The North American Accounting Studies

This study begins by exploring the cybersecurity activities and practices of small public accounting firms. It also examined how a cross-disciplinary curriculum design could be useful to accounting programs that are challenged to integrate cybersecurity-related content while preserving the core accounting knowledge valued by smaller accounting firms. Through interviews with current practitioners from small and regional firms, the research investigated the extent to which cybersecurity concerns impact their practice, how cybersecurity activities are staffed, and the perceptions of current practitioners on the state of accounting education related to information technology (IT) and cybersecurity. The participants expressed a desire for accounting …

Back To Normal? Perspectives Of Faculty And Teaching Librarians On Information Literacy Instruction After The Lockdowns, Catherine Baird, Cara Berg, Anthony C. Joachim, Drew Wallace

University Libraries Scholarship and Creative Works

Objective - While LIS scholars have extensively studied the widespread disruptions to library instruction during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a relative dearth of research concerning the longer-term implications for teaching information literacy (IL). This exploratory survey sought to examine how faculty have introduced IL skills to students before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdowns. After returning to in-person operations in 2021, the authors observed a change in how faculty have engaged with libraries to teach IL to their students. Methods - Utilizing parallel survey instruments, we asked faculty and librarians for their perceptions of current …

Migratory Songbirds As Potential Ectozoochorous Protist Dispersal Vectors, Silas E. Fischer, Joy J. Jackson, Elise C. Hoffman, Henry M. Streby, Trisha L. Spanbauer

Earth and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications

Protist biogeography, speciation, and systematics continue to generate debate and inquiry because protist distributions and dispersal remain poorly resolved. Identifying potential vectors and basibionts for epibiont protists would contribute to our limited understanding of their ecology. Migratory animals seasonally link disparate landscapes, incidentally transporting other organisms in the process. Waterbirds are known microbe dispersers, but evidence for other avian groups is limited-such as taxa that often migrate longer distances. We asked whether terrestrial songbirds (Passeriformes) host diatoms (Bacillariophyta) by sampling tail plumage of four thrush species (Hermit Thrush Catharus guttatus, Swainson's Thrush C. ustulatus, Wood Thrush Hylocichla mustelina, American Robin …

Pronatalism In The United States: How Political Ideals Surrounding Family And Reproductive Health Care Contribute To Neglect In The Foster Care System, Carson Sebree

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Within the past decade, conservative reproductive politics in the United States have experienced an ideological shift from pro-life toward pronatalism. This has been intensified through the rollback of reproductive rights and the rise of Christian nationalism. However, there has been no commensurate additional funding for the foster care system. This project asks the interrelated questions of: “how is pronatalism linked to neglect within the foster care system?; and, how do theories of democratic care highlight the necessity to rethink support for the foster care system and create policies that will address its shortcomings, given the rise of pronatalist aw and …

The Effects Of Educational Materials On Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Psilocybin, Lindsey Elise Wade

Master's Theses

Depression is one of the most prevalent and burdensome mental health conditions worldwide, affecting millions and contributing to over 700,000 deaths by suicide annually. Nearly half of patients with major depressive disorder fail to respond adequately to standard antidepressant treatments such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) has emerged as a promising alternative for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), yet public understanding of this therapy remains limited. The present study examined whether a brief psychoeducational intervention could affect knowledge and attitudes toward PAT among members of the general public in the United States. Participants were randomly assigned to read …

Fabrication Of Three-Dimensional Seaweed-Based Scaffolds And Evaluation Of Cell Attachment And Viability For Cultured Meat Applications, Srishti Tandon

Honors Scholar Theses

Global demand for animal protein is increasing rapidly, underscoring the need for sustainable meat production. Cultured meat is a promising alternative to traditional meat production techniques, but it requires optimization before it can be implemented on a large scale. Scaffolds are an important component for making cultured meat, as they provide structural support for cell attachment and mimic the texture of meat. Scaffolds need to be biocompatible, mechanically supportive, and biochemically active to promote proper cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. This project investigated brown seaweed extract (SWE) hydrogels as a scaffold for cultivated meat applications and compared their mechanical and …

Urban Shadows In Latin America: Detection Of Crime Hotspots Using Multivariate, Geospatial, And Neutrosophic Analytic Hierarchy Process (Nahp) Analytical Techniques, Johnny Pambabay-Calero, Sergio Bauz-Olvera, Oscar Scott-Macías, Pedro Luzuriaga Cedeño, Purificación Galindo-Villardón

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

In recent years, Guayaquil fell prey to higher levels of organized extortion compared to territorialized criminal organizations over territory, institutional weaknesses, and socio-spatial inequalities. Thus, while extortion emerged as an increasingly specialized crime, there are limited empirical studies to evaluate the crime's spatiotemporal nature or its determinants. Therefore, this study aims to identify and characterize extortion "criminal severity zones" of Guayaquil from 2021-2024, via a novel geostatistical approach, in addition to the Neutrosophic Analytic Hierarchy Process (NAHP). By implementing Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA), Kernel Density Estimation (KDE), dimensionality reduction techniques (PCA, MDS, and t-SNE), hierarchical clustering, and Bayesian hierarchical …

Identification Of Gaps In Ecuadorian Inclusive University Education Through Plithogenic Offsets, Genesis Carmen Alcívar Junco

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

Although Ecuador has made strides in regulation, the barriers to inclusive universities reveal a fragmented vision for access and non-termination of special educational needs (SEN) persons. This research aims to assess the impact of physical, academic, and political-institutional barriers on successful inclusion. The importance of this study stems from the need to promote equality in education, a fundamental trait in equitable and fair societies where an increasingly diverse population renders diversity a value. Scholars note barriers regarding spaces and human resources; however, few touch upon the ambiguity and uncertainty of perceptions from all educational stakeholders. Thus, a mixed-method design approach …

A Shattered World: Jews And Israel After October 7, Michael Berenbaum, Gilbert N. Kahn

The Jewish Role in American Life: An Annual Review

October 7, 2023, was a watershed event in contemporary Jewish history. What took place on that date challenged the two most basic assumptions of post-Holocaust Jewish life: that the future security of the Jewish people would be assured by an independent Jewish state backed by an army, and that the freedom for Jews in the Diaspora to live as Jews would be secured by democratic rights and liberties. The pogroms of October 7 and the worldwide explosion of antisemitism that followed—even preceding Israel taking military action against Hamas—challenged both assumptions. The Israel Defense Forces could not prevent a slaughter from …

Perceptions And Behaviors Of Female Title I Principals And Faculty Trust In The Post-Covid-19 Educational Environment, Jessica A. Robbins

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Faculty trust in principals is essential to a healthy school culture, yet it remains one of the most fragile and complex aspects of leadership, particularly in Title I schools (Tschannen-Moran, 2007, 2014; Tschannen-Moran et al., 2015). While trust has been widely studied, fewer investigations have focused on the specific behaviors female principals use to build trust in the post-COVID era (Berkovich, 2018; Bukko et al., 2021; Handford & Leithwood, 2013; Jeanquart-Barone, 2013; Zajda et al., 2023; Zheng et al., 2021). Research suggests that women in leadership must be deliberate in fostering trust, yet their behaviors are often judged more harshly …

“I Can Gossip With Anybody, I Can’T Chisme With Everybody”: Chisme, Gossip, And Identity In Latina-Americans, Alexa B. Romero

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

As individuals adjust to their belonging to two distinct cultures, there are various ways of adapting to their navigation of the two cultures (Berry, 1980). The way(s) an individual chooses to adjust to their two cultures can have varying effects on identity. When directly translated, chisme (Spanish) means gossip. Although the two include overlap in function and uses, chisme offers unique purposes for the Latinx community and further, Latina-Americans (González Ybarra & Player 2024; Gutierrez, 2017; Uribe, 2025). By using the communication theory of identity (Hecht, 1993) the purpose of this thesis was to investigate the role of chisme and …

Las Voices: The Impact On Black Young Males In A Critical Mentorship Program In The Las Vegas Valley, Sean C. Tory

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

In America, Black young males face an enormous amount of pressure regarding their social and racial identity. They battle with racial macro/microaggressions, stereotypes, racism, and socialization from various industries and systems. The community organization, King of Jewels, has been able to adopt effective strategies to help Black young males navigate these issues through critical mentorship. This paper will first demonstrate the importance of critical mentorship, Black Racial Identity Development, and will then outline the steps necessary to fill the gaps found in mentorship and Black Racial Identity Development literature. This qualitative study investigates the use of critical mentorship (CM) and …

Building Your Epic Life: Your Journey, Your Way, Your Masterpiece, Luciano Castillo

Purdue University Press Books

Building Your Epic Life empowers young people to understand that failure is an inevitable—and essential—part of the journey to success. The author shares his own challenges and struggles, showing that no path to success is linear and without setbacks. The book teaches the value of building a healthy body, mind, and spirit, and includes exercises that offer actionable plans for individuals to realize a meaningful, self-defined life based on their core values. A proven roadmap workbook and short lectures guide readers through a series of practical steps to discover their purpose, vision, and understand the value of mentorship—and why each …

Decisions That Shape Supply Chains, Nicole J. Olynk Widmar, Michael L. Smith, Erin Robinson

Purdue University Press Books

What drives consumer decisions, and how do those decisions ripple through our food and agricultural systems? In Decisions That Shape Supply Chains, readers are invited to look beyond conventional models of behavior and explore the complex, sometimes counterintuitive factors influencing real-world consumer choices. Drawing on behavioral science and applied research, this volume examines how decisions made in grocery aisles, drive-through lines, and online shopping carts ultimately inform what gets planted, processed, packaged, and promoted across the food-supply chain. From attitudes toward GMO foods to parenting as a form of consumerism and emotional decision-making under stress to the environmental tradeoffs consumers …

Markets We Thought We Knew, Nicole J. Olynk Widmar, Michael L. Smith, Erin Robinson

Purdue University Press Books

Markets We Thought We Knew explores the evolving nature of markets and how they shape—and are shaped by—consumer behavior. From essential life necessities such as water to everyday commodities and products including locally sourced foods, this book covers a variety of topics and invites readers to examine a diverse range of markets through a reflective lens. By revisiting past market dynamics and real-world examples, readers are encouraged to rethink how preferences are formed, how opinions shift over time, and how value is assigned—sometimes in unexpected ways. What insights might you gather from a deeper understanding of local and global markets, …

Shattered Liberation: Sexualized Violence Against Holocaust Survivors, 1943–1946, Nina Paulovicova, Anna Cichopek-Gajraj, Joanna Beata Michlic

Purdue University Press Books

Shattered Liberation: Sexualized Violence Against Holocaust Survivors, 1943–1946 challenges the notion of joyous liberation of Holocaust survivors by the Red Army, which is often embedded in popular imagination and collective memory. This is one of the first volumes to shine light on the sexualized violence that some Holocaust survivors endured in the hands of the Soviet Army, partisans, rescuers, and army personnel in filtration camps during the liberation process. By focusing on testimonies and memoirs, this book discusses in detail a wide range of interactions, including sexual violence, rape, forced cohabitation, sex barter, aid, and romance. The book addresses methodological …

150 Years Of Purdue Engineering: Celebrating Our Consequential Impact On The World, Arvind Raman, Jim Small

Purdue University Press Books

Since its founding 150 years ago, Purdue University’s College of Engineering has profoundly shaped and improved the world, amassing breakthroughs spanning nearly all facets of society. Highlighting the indomitable spirit, ingenuity, and achievements of more than 100 Boilermaker alumni and faculty members, 150 Years of Purdue Engineering describes the program’s journey to become one of the most consequential engineering colleges in the United States. Richly illustrated with archival and contemporary images, this book includes stories that focus on Purdue innovators who have created everything from the barcode and the electronic TV receiver to the soft-serve ice cream machine and artificial …

Dialectics Of Inclusion In Physical Education: A Neutrosophic N‑Alectic Approach To The Creation And Communication Of Digital Content, Giceya De La Caridad Maqueira Caraballo, Lenin Esteban Loaiza Dávila, Germán Rafael Rojas Valdés

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This is how digital creations can foster inclusion in physical education, one of the more applicable and challenging aspects of today's diverse school realities. This study is significant, considering that we live in a digital world that requires the balance of such creations to promote equitable environments for increasingly functional, diverse school populations. While previous studies focused on inclusion in the physical education arena at school, none have studied the field based upon the uncertainties and discrepancies associated with communication and pedagogical endeavors, let alone from a digital perspective. Thus, the gap in the research is filled by the Neutrosophic …

Assessing Leadership In Business: A Critical Investigation Of Michelle Obama, Narineh Gevorkian

Honors Scholar Theses

Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the United States, has emerged as a powerful figure in politics, social advocacy, and public service. During her time in the White House, she worked on initiatives in education, health, and military family support while inspiring millions of people worldwide through her authenticity and advocacy. What distinguishes Michelle Obama as a leader is how her influence comes not from authority or hierarchy, but from connection, empathy, and moral purpose. This approach allows her to lead with authenticity, motivate others, and address inequalities within communities. As the first African American First Lady in US …

Assessing Leadership In Business: A Critical Investigation Of Lorne Michaels, Emily Laput

Honors Scholar Theses

This thesis critically investigates the leadership effectiveness of Lorne Michaels, the executive producer behind the comedic institution Saturday Night Live (SNL). For nearly half a century, Michaels has cultivated a unique and high-pressure environment credited with launching the careers of numerous comedic actors. Drawing upon Kouzes & Posner's Five Principles of Exemplary Leadership framework and peer-reviewed research, this analysis examines the balance Michaels strikes between fostering innovation and exercising strict control. Ultimately, this thesis aims to provide a nuanced understanding of Lorne Michaels' leadership, assessing its effectiveness within the dynamic and often volatile environment of live television production and …

Objective Vs. Perceived Maternal Smartphone Use And Observed Mother-Infant Interaction Quality, Alison K. Ventura, Lara N. Wolfers, Sarah M. Coyne, Rachel Pfafman, Sabrina Uva, Karla I. Ceja Almontes, Aniruddha S. Shinde, Adam M. Galovan, Brandon Mcdaniel

Health Services and Informatics Research

Introduction:

Prior research links maternal smartphone use to reduced sensitivity and responsiveness to infant cues, but emerging evidence suggests that mothers' perceptions of their smartphone use - such as feelings of empowerment or distress - may also shape the quality of mother-infant interactions. This study examined how both objective and perceived smartphone use related to mother-infant interaction quality in naturalistic settings.

Method:

Participants were 147 mother-infant dyads from a longitudinal study of smartphone use and infant development. When infants were 2 months old, mothers completed 5 days of ecological momentary assessment (EMA), reporting time spent with their infant, perceived smartphone-related …

Investigation Of Mono-Allelic Rack1 Deletion Effects On Cell Growth And Pkc Mrna Expression, Ashen Quiambao

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The µ-opioid receptor is a primary target of clinically used opioids, and RACK1 regulates its transcription by physically interacting with MOR transcription regulator PCBP1 in the cytosol to prevent its nucleus translocation. Two mono-allelic RACK1 knockout cell lines named RACKA and RACKB were generated by the CRISPR-Cas9 technique using WT NMB neuroblastoma cells. As RACK1 also contains a PKC-binding domain, this study aims to evaluate the impacts of mono-allelic deletion on cell growth rates and PKC isoform expression. Although a slight decreased tendency of growth rate in RACKA and RACKB cells was observed when compared to that of WT NMB …

Examining Aba Classroom Paraprofessional Training Methods In New Jersey, Melina Campos

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

In recent years, paraprofessionals have become an integral part of educational teams, particularly in classrooms supporting students with disabilities (Giangreco et al., 2010). Their role has been crucial in ensuring that students received necessary academic and social support. This study evaluated the training provided to paraprofessionals in New Jersey, specifically those working in applied behavior analysis (ABA) classrooms. By surveying paraprofessionals on training that they receive and assessing how training influenced their self-perceived knowledge and skills, the study offered insight into how well-prepared these educators felt to support students with disabilities. A total of 57 participants completed the survey. When …

The Impact Of Youth Sports Participation On Academic Performance And Sense Of Belongingness In Middle School Students, Kevin Stahl

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

This quantitative study explored the relationship between youth sports participation, academic achievement, and sense of belonging among middle school students. Using data from the Middle Grades Longitudinal Study of 2017–2018 (MGLS; National Center for Education Statistics [NCES], 2018), the research examined whether involvement in youth sports predicts outcomes in mathematics, reading, and students’ perceived connection to their school environment.

The findings challenged the extent to which Astin’s (1984) theory of student involvement generalizes to early adolescent populations. Although the theory proposes participation in structured activities supports both academic and social outcomes, results indicated stronger and more consistent associations between sports …

Preface To The Special Issue: Neutrosophy In Artificial Intelligence: Advances And Applications From The Joint Conferences Of Barna Management School (Dominican Republic) And Universidad Del Trabajo Del Uruguay (August 6–8, 2025), Florentin Smarandache, Maikel Yelandi Leyva, Mohamed Abdel‑Basset

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

This special issue presents the advances and applications of neutrosophy in artificial intelligence, stemming from the joint conferences organized by BARNA Management School and the Universidad del Trabajo del Uruguay in August 2025. The volume explores how neutrosophy—conceived by Dr. Florentin Smarandache—integrates truth, falsehood, and indeterminacy to address the complexity of reasoning in uncertain contexts. It highlights the potential of neutrosophic logic to overcome the limitations of current AI systems, which often struggle with incomplete or contradictory information. The issue also emphasizes the importance of critical thinking as a human strength in the age of intelligent machines and incorporates a …