Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Experiences Of Racialized Immigrant Mothers In Contributing To Patterns Of Community Life In The Victoria Hills Neighbourhood, Carmel Tatiana Mahdi Miss

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The experiences of racialized immigrant mothers are complex, nuanced, and beautiful. Oftentimes, their stories are described in a way that frames women as helpless victims, merely writing about their challenges in the absence of their protagonism. The stories in this thesis suggest that, against the obstacles unique to racialization, motherhood and immigration, mothers are often the primary caretakers of their families and play a significant role in the development of children, while creatively exploring and responding to questions pertinent to community development. They navigate community life in a place different from the one they grew up in – addressing questions …

Dwelling Deeply With Less: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Ipa) Of Urban Minimalism, Joyce Y. Li

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This qualitative study explores the lived experiences of minimalists residing in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, focusing on their motivations, lifestyle practices, and perceived impacts on wellbeing and human flourishing. In response to the growing popularity of minimalism and the limited research in the Canadian context, this research addresses the question: What are the lived experiences of minimalists residing in Toronto and how they make sense of it? Using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), data was collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with nine highly educated participants of diverse gender identities and ethnic backgrounds. Findings reveal that participants were initially motivated by practical concerns …

Functional Design Of Dissymmetric Ligands For Coordination Systems, Kaitlyn R. Brown

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Herein, the functional design of dissymmetric ligands for coordination systems is explored with a focus on their synthesis and structural characterization. The design strategy of these ligands incorporates the ability to coordinate both metal cations and anions along with a ligand site for other functionalization. Their synthesis, structural and other characterization, Hirshfeld surface analysis, and some metal-coordinated complexes are discussed. Chapter 1 introduces supramolecular and coordination chemistry, along with relevant literature that supports this research and outlines the thesis objective. Chapter 2 investigates the hydrogen bonding of a dissymmetric pyrimidine thioether ligand in its neutral form, water solvate, protonated nitrate …

The Progressive Potential Of The Horror Arg: A Digital Ethnographic Analysis Of Instagram Account Sabrinamiller230, Matthew N. Wiebe

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Alternate reality games (ARGs) are transmedia games that exist and operate utilizing a number of digital communication platforms. These games see players employing their digital literacy skills in order to solve narrative puzzles and craft theories with other ARG players – through engaging with the alternate reality fiction presented to them. sabrinamiller230 is a horror themed ARG that takes the appearance of an Instagram profile and presents players with a speculative alternate reality world featuring an alien who critiques humanity’s many injustices. This research paper seeks to address a key problem regarding the lack of digital ethnographic studies of ARG …

“Just Checking”: Racial Profiling And The Criminalization Of Black Students At Post-Secondary Institutions, Yugita Looknauth

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

“Just Checking”: Racial Profiling and the Criminalization of Black Students at Post-Secondary Institutions

This dissertation examined the experiences of Black students who came into contact with campus security at five universities and one college in Ontario, Canada. Critical race theory and methodology, and qualitative research design amplified the voices of 17 participants who shared stories of racial profiling marked by racialization, criminalization, surveillance, and the normalized scrutiny of Black life. These experiences are legitimized by post-secondary institutions that are actively reproducing the very racism they are often celebrated for interrogating by allowing a culture of anti-Black racism to exist with …

Donor Impact Report 2024-2025, University Of San Diego School Of Law

Donor Impact Report

No abstract provided.

The Usual Suspects: A Review Of Common Dysbiosis Of The Human Mouth, And The Associated Microbial Species, Sophie Katherine Shields

Honors Theses and Capstones

The mouth, often referred to as the oral cavity in scientific literature, is described as the second most diversely populated microbiome in the human body, only after the gut. The cavity’s temperature, abundant water, high nutrient levels, and diversity of sites are all critical factors that make the oral cavity a space booming with life. The mouth harbors over 700 species of bacteria, in addition to numerous fungi, viruses, and protozoa species. Together, when working in harmony, these species provide critical supports to the functions of the human body. When dysbiosis occurs, however, the overgrowth of a single species may …

From Civil War To Cold War: China, The Us, And The Korean Conflict, Ethan Paul Foss

Honors Theses and Capstones

This history honors thesis investigates US foreign policy in East Asia during the early Cold War, specifically from 1945 to 1953, focusing on the Chinese Civil War and the Korean War. This thesis argues that American policymakers misjudged Chinese communism, Korean nationalism, and regional dynamics due to ideological assumptions and Cold War anxieties. The research examines missed diplomatic opportunities with Mao’s China, the flawed occupation of South Korea, and the escalation of the Korean Conflict, revealing how rigid anti-communist policies contributed to the Korean War's outbreak and strengthened communist alliances. Ultimately, it argues that the Korean War was less an …

Signal-Based Error Handling: Case Study Using The Bathymetric Attributed Grid Library, Anthony R. Papetti

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Causes Of Land Subsidence On The U.S. Mid-Atlantic Coast Measured With Insar, Jordan Leigh Diprima

Honors Theses and Capstones

Land subsidence is a frequently overlooked geologic hazard that is caused by natural processes and anthropogenic stressors. The goal of this study is to quantify vertical land motion (VLM) on Long Island, New York and Virginia’s Eastern Shore and evaluate the potential causes of subsidence. The causes considered in this work are glacial isostatic adjustment, groundwater extraction, infrastructure loading, and land cover. This study utilizes interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) satellite data from Sentinel-1 to calculate linear VLM trends from 2017 to 2023. Datasets for each hypothesis were qualitatively compared to VLM data. Subsidence rates in both regions were found …

Molecular Simulation Studies Of Protein Interactions Associated With Aging, Charlotte Jenna Thomas

Honors Theses and Capstones

No abstract provided.

Biological Computing From Microscopic To Macroscopic Evolution, Xiaofeng Ding

Masters Theses

A unified theory from microscopic to macroscopic DNA-based biological systems is explained in terms of the rule components used when the system size is increased. Even though the eight female rules in each ruleset are provided with an equal probability of the computation-state outcomes, the initial ensemble of the computation states will exponentially settle into one dominant rule that supports the nutrition needed for growth. The remaining seven rules form into two minority groups to provide the biological characteristics of the system's growth from a micro to macroscopic evolution. The object of this study is to prove that such a …

Leadership Practices To Improve Content Deliveryand Increase Student Achievement, Maia Elkana, Rosalyn Langrohling-Amanor

Institute for School Partnership: Research & Publications

This brief addresses how instructional leaders can support teaching and learning toimprove student achievement. nstructional leadership matters for school success. District- andschool-based leaders play a pivotal role in setting policies,allocating and managing resources, and shaping school cultureas both a place of learning for students and a positive workplacefor teachers and staff. The impact instructional leaders, such asprincipals, have is second only to teaching in its capacity toimprove student performance.

High-Quality Curricular Materials, Maia Elkana, Rosalyn Langrohling-Amanor

Institute for School Partnership: Research & Publications

High-quality curricular materials, such as textbooks, workbooks, and software used by teachers for instruction, matter for student achievement. The costs of curricular materials are not always connected to their quality, so it is worth the time and effort to select the options that will result in significant boosts to student learning.1,2This brief addresses features to look for in high-quality curricular materials and considerations for adoption and implementation of these materials to improve student achievement. This brief addresses features to look for in high-quality curricular materials and considerations for adoption and implementation of these materials to improve studentachievement.

Stem Di: Program Results & Impact, Alison Brockhouse

Institute for School Partnership: Research & Publications

STEMpact District Immersion (STEM DI) was a four-year research-practice partnership to improve mathematics education in the St. Louis region. Supported by STEMpact, STEM DI brought together educators from three local districts and education specialists from the Institute for School Partnership at Washington University in St. Louis (ISP). Over the life of this innovative collaboration, we saw important advancements in instructional practices and improved student achievement. This report details the process and outcomes of the Initiative, which was formed to address some of these persistent challenges by developing the capacity of district teams to initiate and sustain instructional improvement efforts, with …

Music Education Research And Policy Summit: Feedback Report, Alexis Anja Kallio, Julie Ballantyne, Glenn Barry, Nicole Canham, Emily Dollman, Brad Fuller, Jason Goopy, Rohan Hardy, James Humberstone, Tanya Jones, Ricky Kradolfer, Candace Kruger, Simon Petty, Rebecca Yarnold

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The Music Education Research and Policy Summit was held from 17–19 July 2023. It was hosted by the Creative Arts Research Institute, Griffith University, on the banks of the Maiwar in Meanjin (Brisbane). The Summit was organised in response to the publication of Australia’s first National Cultural Policy in over 13 years—Revive: A Place for Every Story, A Story for Every Place—to engage in collaborative futures thinking that can identify the values, challenges, and opportunities that will shape school music education in Australia’s future.

The Music Education Research and Policy Summit offered a unique opportunity for music education scholars from …

Navigating Complexity In Sustainability And Climate Action: Comparing Participatory Action Research And Developmental Evaluation In Higher Education, Elizabeth J. Cook, Fiona Boyle

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Purpose: This paper aims to investigate how sustainability and climate action are integrated in higher education through collaborative researchmethodologies. Specifically, it addresses the challenges encountered by those using participatory action research (PAR) and suggests developmental evaluation (DE) as a potentially suitable alternative participatorymethodology in certain contexts.

Design/methodology/approach: A comparative analysis of PAR and DE is conducted, highlighting their strengths and limitations in sustainability and climate action initiatives within higher education. Philosophically grounded in pragmatism, the study draws on existing literature to clarify the theoretical foundations and practical implications of both methodologies, focusing on their application in complex, dynamic environments.

Findings: …

Outdoor Adventure Education For Adolescent Social And Emotional Wellbeing: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Michael J.A. Down, D. Picknoll, T. Edwards, F. Farringdon, G. Hoyne, B. Piggott, M. C. Murphy

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study examines the effects of OAE on adolescent social and emotional wellbeing and their contributors. Intervention studies (single or multi-arm) assessing the effects of OAE on wellbeing were included. Meta-analysis was conducted on outcomes of interest, and the Cochrane Risk of Bias (RoB) Tool assessed RoB in multi-arm studies. Four studies assessed within-group change (n = 368), and six assessed between-group change (n = 1,143). Findings indicate significant between-group improvements in resilience, self-esteem and social belonging when OAE was compared to no intervention, but no self-efficacy and overall wellbeing changes were observed. Studies were at high risk of bias, …

Implementing A New High-Quality Math Curriculum, Mitchelle Wambua, Maia Elkana

Institute for School Partnership: Research & Publications

The process of adopting and implementing a new, high-quality mathematics curriculum (HQMC) can beboth exciting and challenging. A HQMC is one that provides coherent and standards-based mathematical concepts within and across grades while also providing authentic opportunities and teacher guidance for supporting students to engage in the processes of problem solving, mathematics reasoning, communication, connections, and representations. Selecting such a curricular resource on its own does not guarantee high-quality teaching and learning. The benefits of a HQMC are achieved through a successful implementation process which has both benefits and challenges. How teachers interpret and enact the curriculum matters, and how …

The Work Of Midwives: The Socio-Institutional Theory Of The Meaning Of Midwives’ Work-Life Balance, Kate Buchanan, Kate Dawson, Jacqueline Taylor, Sara Bayes

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Globally, midwifery is facing a potential workforce crisis. A significant number of midwives intending to leave the profession often cite burnout as contributing to this decision. While it has been reported that work-life balance is a key element in deciding to stay in midwifery, little is known about what constitutes work-life balance and the barriers to achieving this. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore what work-life balance means to Australian midwives, and to determine its crucial features. Methods: Qualitative Description methodology was used for this study. Data were collected from 31 midwives in Australia working in …

An Anti-Junk Food Ad From A Sports Commercial Break Reduced Junk Food Consumption Inclinations, Yet Junk Food Ads Had Minimal To No Impact, Ross C. Hollett, Julia Butt, Brennen Mills, Stephanie L. Godrich, Gina S.A. Trapp, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: In Australia, there are concerns that unrestricted junk food advertising during sports broadcasts increases short-term junk food consumption among viewers. Therefore, the present study aimed to estimate the impact of junk food and anti-junk food advertising on consumption inclinations. Methods: We conducted a content analysis across a sample (N = 16) of Australian Football League (AFL) and National Rugby League (NRL) matches to determine the prevalence of junk food and anti-junk food advertising video clips. We also exposed participants (N = 428) to a single randomly selected junk food advertisement or a single anti-junk food advertisement and measured the …

Ability In Physical Education – No, I Can’T Discuss It! Insights From Lower Secondary Physical Education Teachers In Western Australia, Jeffrey Giles, Dawn Penney, Justen O’Connor

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Ability has been positioned as a crucial concept in the construction of a subject that is inclusive of and meaningful for all students. Almost two decades since Evans (2004) called on the field to re-engage in discourse concerning ability, how ability is conceptualised by physical education (PE) teachers remains relatively unexplored. Furthermore, relatively little is known about how understandings of ability are enacted through curriculum, pedagogy and assessment in PE. This research explored these issues with lower secondary PE teachers in Western Australia through self-recorded audio responses to two research questions. Data from 38 participants revealed the struggles that PE …

Joint 3d Beamforming-And-Trajectory Design For Uav-Satellite Uplink Covert Communication, Jihong Yu, Yuting Cai, Shihao Yan, Yun Li, Jingjing Wang, Jiahao Liu, Jianping An

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

In this paper,we study uplink covert communication in a space-air system,where an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) transmits sensitive data to a Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite while preventing the transmission action from being discovered by a warden. We derive the optimal decision threshold of the warden. We investigate the 3-dimensional (3D) beamformer and 3D trajectory design for the transmitter UAV against this optimum warden to maximize the covert transmission rate in the presence of imperfect channel state information and uncertain noise. Due to the non-convex structure and dependence between beamforming vectors and locations of the transmitter UAV,we develop a decoupling …

Physiological Plateaus During Normal Labor And Birth: A Novel Definition, Marina Weckend, Kylie Mccullough, Christine Duffield, Sara Bayes, Clare Davison

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Diagnoses of labor dystocia, and subsequent labor augmentation, make one of the biggest contributions to childbirth medicalization, which remains a key challenge in contemporary maternity care. However, labor dystocia is poorly defined, and the antithetical concept of physiological plateaus remains insufficiently explored. Aim: To generate a definition of physiological plateaus as a basis for further research. Methods: This qualitative study applied grounded theory methods and comprised interviews with 20 midwives across Australia, conducted between September 2020 and February 2022. Data were coded in a three-phase approach, starting with inductive line-by-line coding, which generated themes and subthemes, and finally, through …

Supporting Mid-Career Students’ Psychological Needs To Improve Motivation And Retention In Post-Graduate Courses, Gillian Kirk, Helen Adam, Fiona Boylan, Carly Sanbrook

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Currently Australia is experiencing an unprecedented teacher shortage. Increasing and retaining the number of mid-career Initial Teacher Education entrants has been identified as one strategy to combat the shortage. This study examines the psychological needs (autonomy, competence, and relatedness) innate to autonomous forms of motivation to support retention. While there is much research investigating how universities support students’ psychological needs using questionnaires, few have gathered data examining how students articulate their lived experiences, and fewer have examined mid-career students’ perspectives. This paper contributes to the literature by sharing 26 Master of Teaching (Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary) mid-career student perspectives on …

Teacher Wellbeing And Teaching Excellence In Higher Education: Exploring The Interplay Through The Lens Of The Perma Framework, Anna Golab, Tom Barratt, Jaime Yong, Tanzim Afroz

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Recognising the pivotal role of teacher wellbeing in fostering teaching excellence, this paper explores the intricate relationships in the context of higher education. Employing an abductive, qualitative methodology and expanding the use of the PERMA framework to in the realm of higher education, this paper investigates the associations between teachers' perceptions of excellence to five elements of wellbeing: positive emotions (P), engagement (E), relationships (R), meaning (M) and accomplishment (A). Drawing insights from a case study of an Australian business school, the findings of this paper reveal dynamic interactions among these elements. Contextual variations give rise to virtuous or vicious …

Why Do We Pursue The Personal Goals We Do? The Relationships Between Distinct Goal Motives And Subjective Well-Being, Joanne M. Dickson, Vanessa Tan, Christopher D. Huntley

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Personal motives drive and energize goal behavior. However, the relationships between distinct goal motives and subjective well-being (SWB) are not well understood. This study aimed to investigate how distinct goal motives related to SWB in a cross-national study. The sample comprised 197 participants (n = 95 Australians; n = 102 Singaporeans). Participants generated their two most important and meaningful idiographic goals that they were currently pursuing. They then completed an accompanying self-report goal motive questionnaire in relation to each listed personal goal, and a measure of SWB. Regression and moderation analyses were conducted. As predicted, relational autonomous motives were significantly …

A Turning Point In Cardiac Remodelling In Obesity: Obesity, Mariella R. Huaman, Carlos J. Toro-Huamanchumo

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Cardiac remodelling in obesity has received growing attention in the past two decades, particularly as the prevalence of obesity continues to rise globally. In 2013, Aurigemma and colleagues published a seminal study that provided crucial insights into the structural changes in the heart associated with obesity. This study summarized advances in understanding how the disproportionate growth of adipose tissue affects cardiac function, and challenged and reshaped previously established paradigms. Before the publication of this report, the standard paradigm held that obesity-induced haemodynamic stress primarily drove eccentric left ventricular hypertrophy. However, this study instead demonstrated that in individuals with obesity, concentric …

The Csr Practices Of Western Australian Mining Based On Innovation Ecosystems: Pathways To Collaborative Innovation And Sustainable Development, Jiawei Sun

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study investigates the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices of Western Australian mining companies, focusing on their integration of innovation ecosystems to promote sustainable development. Through case studies of BHP Group, Rio Tinto, FMG, and South32, the research examines how these companies reduce carbon emissions, enhance community development, and foster collaborative innovation. The findings highlight the significant role of innovation ecosystems in enabling these companies to adopt cleaner technologies, improve social outcomes, and maintain a competitive edge in a sustainability-conscious global market. The study also explores the challenges and opportunities faced by mining companies in leveraging collaborative innovation to address …

The Impact Of Solvent Extraction And Enzyme-Assisted Extraction On The Yield And Quality Of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia Illucens) Oil, Achini Madushani Mannawa Arachchige, Mark Williams, W. M.A.D.Binosha Fernando, Weeraya Karnpanit, Jane Lumanlan, Vijay Jayasena

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The increased interest in black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) oil is driven by its beneficial fatty acid composition, leading to the development of effective extraction methods. This study evaluated the impact of solvent extraction (SE) and enzyme-assisted extraction (EAE) on the yield and quality of BSFL oil. SE using hexane, petroleum ether, isopropanol, and ethanol after 6 hr of extraction resulted in higher yields compared to EAE using alcalase, papain, and trypsin after 24 hr, with the highest yield recorded for petroleum ether (33%), followed by isopropanol (30%). Isopropanol extraction demonstrated the highest antioxidant activity (77%). The results indicated a …