Digital Commons Network^™

Systematic Study On Preparation And Characterizations Of High Performance Bimetallic Pt-Co/Sba-15 Catalyst In N-Heptane Isomerization, Talib M. Albayati, Khalid A. Sukkar, Nisreen S. Ali, Mahir A. Abdulrahman, Basheer A. Abdulhussein, Issam K. Salih, Narges Elmi Fard

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Bimetallic catalysts were prepared by deposition of 1% of loading of (Pt-Co) onto SBA 15 support using heterogeneous reaction for enhancing hydroisomerization and promoting hydrocracking for the decomposition of n-heptane. The catalytic performance of the catalysts was subsequently evaluated thereafter. Characterization of the prepared catalysts was done by various techniques, which include XRD, FTIR, BETBJH, SEM/EDS, and TEM. The temperature range studied for this catalytic activity was 250 to 400 °C, at atmospheric pressure in a plug-flow reactor. The experimental setup kept a very rigorous control over the temperature, flow rate for the reactants, and pressure, while gas chromatographic techniques …

Design Of An Economic Order Quantity–Based Dashboard For Vaccine Packaging Inventory Management, Hadi Susanto, Susmitha Canny, Alexandra Elizabeth Callistha, Shakira Dwi Purwandari, Naila Davina Aurelia

ASEAN Journal on Science and Technology for Development

Background: Timely availability of vaccine packaging is critical to pharmaceutical supply chain reliability, as packaging materials play a key role in maintaining cold chain integrity during distribution. Inadequate availability of packaging materials can disrupt vaccine delivery even when finished vaccines are ready for shipment. The case company faces frequent delivery delays, insufficient safety stock, and irregular replenishment of vaccine packaging materials, which have jeopardized the organization’s target of achieving a 90% on-time delivery rate.

Objective: To design and evaluate an Economic Order Quantity (EOQ)–based inventory dashboard for vaccine packaging that standardizes ordering decisions and strengthens stock visibility in pharmaceutical distribution …

Part 4: Arts And Culture In Hampton Roads: Exploring A Challenging Future, Dragas Center For Economic Analysis And Policy, Old Dominion University

State of the Region Reports: Hampton Roads

Hampton Roads hosts a remarkably vibrant and dynamic arts and culture ecosystem. It includes not only high-caliber professional institutions such as the Virginia Arts Festival, Virginia Opera, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and Chrysler Museum of Art—but many other museums and galleries, theaters and performance spaces, open-air festivals, creative districts, public art, independent artists and creators, large performance venues for outside talent, and a wide array of professional and amateur arts organizations. This chapter discusses the arts in Hampton Roads and explores its impact on the region.

Non-Smooth Solutions Of The Navier-Stokes Equation And Their Means, James Glimm, Jarret Petrillo

Department of Applied Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

Non-smooth (finite time blowup) Leray-Hopf solutions of the incompressible Navier-Stokes equation are constructed. The initial data for blowup is characterized by nonzero energy related turbulent fluctuations. The construction occurs in a finite periodic cube T3. The mean value of a weak solution of the Navier-Stokes equation is identified as a smooth solution of the Navier-Stokes equation.

Reaching The Finish Line: Teacher Perceptions Of Intervention Strategies To Reduce Dropouts And Improve Student Engagement In Rural Schools, Carter J. Baran

Doctor of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine educator perceptions of intervention strategies designed to reduce student dropout rates and improve student engagement in rural school settings. Rural schools often face unique challenges, including limited resources, geographic isolation, and socioeconomic factors that may contribute to student disengagement and increased dropout risk. This study sought to identify strategies educators perceive as effective in supporting at-risk students and promoting persistence toward graduation. Data were collected through 18 semi-structured interviews with educators in a rural school district, including six core content teachers, six elective teachers, and six administrators. Following the interviews, a …

A Closer Look At Quality: A Mixed Methods Study On International Teachers’ Perceptions Of Educational Technology-Focused Professional Development In South Carolina, Melissa Mcclary

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Educational technology (EdTech) is widely promoted as a means of improving instruction; however, limited research has examined how international teachers are supported through EdTech-focused professional development (PD) in South Carolina (SC) schools. Using a convergent mixed methods design, this study explored international teachers' perceptions of EdTech PD quality through the lens of Desimone's (2009) core features of effective PD and Expectancy-Value Theory (EVT). Quantitative data were collected from 81 respondents using the Teacher Professional Development (TPD) Monitor Survey (Richter & Richter, 2024), complemented by 16 semi-structured interviews. Survey results indicated high overall ratings, with clarity and structure, practical relevance, and …

Teacher Perceptions Of Administrative Support, Student Behavior, And Work Environment: Effects On Morale, Commitment, And Retention Of High School Teachers In A Mid-Sized School District In North Carolina, Joseph M. Serviss

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Teacher attrition remains an ongoing challenge in secondary education, often linked to declining motivation or commitment. This mixed-methods sequential explanatory study aimed to explore high school teachers’ perceptions of administrative support, student behavior, and work environment factors, and how these elements impact job satisfaction and retention. Quantitative data were collected through an internal Teacher Working Conditions Survey distributed to high school teachers within a single public school district. For qualitative insights, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 high school teachers, and inductive thematic analysis was used to interpret the survey findings. Quantitative results showed mostly positive views regarding administrative support, …

Implementing Stem In Elementary Schools: Teacher Perceptions, Practices, And Supports, Casey Wester

Doctor of Education Dissertations

STEM education is a critical component of maintaining global competitiveness, underscoring the need to begin it in early childhood. Integrating STEM education requires teachers to move beyond traditional teaching methods toward a transdisciplinary approach. Research has shown that there can be a variety of barriers to integrating STEM into the classroom. This explanatory mixed methods research study investigated elementary school educators' perspectives on implementing a STEM initiative, the fidelity of implementation post-initiative, and the current supports and additional support needed to sustain implementation. To carry out this investigation, a survey was deployed to elementary educators in three elementary schools, and …

Supporting Core Instruction: A Mixed Methods Study Of Foundations Of Math Training For Elementary Teachers, Naomi C. Mallory

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Effective Tier 1 mathematics instruction within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) depends on the teacher’s ability to implement research-based instructional practices with confidence and fidelity (Berkeley et al., 2020; Cleaver, 2023). The purpose of this study was to explore educators' perspectives on how explicit, research-based mathematics professional development influenced their perceived capacity to deliver effective core instruction. Specifically, the study explored how the Foundations of Math (FoM) professional development course affected teachers’ confidence and instructional decision-making. This study was conducted within one public school district and included elementary educators who had participated in the FoM course. Data were collected …

Perceptions Of Intracurricular And Extracurricular Activities On Student Academics In An Eastern North Carolina High School: A Qualitative Study, Demarcus Jones

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This qualitative study explored educator perceptions of the impact of intracurricular and extracurricular activities on student academic achievement in a rural high school in Eastern North Carolina. Grounded in Bandura’s (1986) Social Cognitive Theory and Maslow’s (1962) Hierarchy of Needs, the study examined how structured school-based programs influence student motivation, engagement, and academic performance. Data were collected through three rounds of semi-structured interviews with purposive groups of core teachers, elective teachers/sponsors, and school administrators, followed by a culminating focus group to confirm emerging themes. Inductive thematic analysis revealed that participation in structured programs positively influenced academic outcomes by promoting accountability, …

Beyond The Classroom: Exploring High School Graduates' Perceptions Of How Extracurricular Activities Influence College And Career Readiness, Miranda B. Grigg

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This mixed methods study explored high school graduates’ perceptions of how participation in extracurricular activities influenced their college and career readiness. Grounded in Bandura’s (1986) Social Cognitive Theory and Deci and Ryan’s (1985) Self-Determination Theory, the study examined how experiences in athletics, clubs, organizations, and leadership roles contributed to graduates’ development of confidence, motivation, leadership skills, belonging, and real-world competencies. A sequential explanatory mixed methods design was employed. The quantitative phase consisted of a 20-item survey completed by 67 graduates of a rural South Carolina high school, with responses analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square goodness-of-fit tests. Reliability was further …

Developing Collaboration And Community Through An Online Virtual Modality: Participatory Action Research, Jennifer Reed

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This action research study examined educators’ perceptions of collaboration and community within a virtual professional learning community and investigated how participation influenced collaborative actions over time. The study also compared the needs and goals of secondary and postsecondary educators participating in a shared VPLC model. Grounded in the Community of Inquiry and Online Collaborative Learning theoretical frameworks, this study addressed a growing need for effective, flexible professional learning structures that support collaboration across educational contexts. Data were collected from six educators, including three secondary and three postsecondary instructors, through pre- and post-administration of the Professional Learning Community Assessment–Revised, recorded virtual …

Exploring A School District's Alternative Licensure Pathway Preparation: Experience And Self-Efficacy Of Black Male Educators In North Carolina, Marquise K. Smith

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This qualitative study explored the perceived effectiveness of licensure exam preparation, student teaching experiences, and personal and professional support systems among Black male educators in North Carolina, with particular attention to self-efficacy and imposter syndrome as factors influencing licensure success. Grounded in Bandura’s (1977, 1986) Social Cognitive Theory and Self-Efficacy Theory, as well as Huecker et al.’s (2023) Imposter Syndrome Theory, the study examined how environmental structures and psychological experiences interact to shape professional outcomes. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 13 Black male educators and a follow-up focus group designed to confirm and elaborate on emergent themes. …

A Regional Multimethod Study On The Impact Of Identification Practices For Diverse Populations In Academically Gifted Programs During The 2022-2025 Aig Plan Implementation, Stephanie G. Revis

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Historically, many North Carolina Local Education Agencies (LEAs) have not prioritized diversity in Academically and Intellectually Gifted (AIG) programs, and local control over funding and policies has led to wide variations in how identification and services are implemented. As a result, persistent equity gaps exist between the proportion of culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse (CLED) students in the overall population and their representation in AIG programs. The purpose of this study was to examine identification practices implemented by LEAs and determine their impact on the Relative Difference in Composition Index (RDCI), as well as to identify which practices contribute to …

Understanding Teacher Self-Efficacy And Its Influence On Teacher Effectiveness: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis-An Extension, Valene Williams

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study examined teacher self-efficacy and its influence on instructional effectiveness within a high school mathematics context. The study was grounded in the work of Bandura (1997), in addition to an extension of Benitez's (2020) research. This replication-by-extension study sought to explore how teachers’ lived experiences shape their self-efficacy beliefs and how those beliefs influence classroom practice. The study addressed two research questions: (a) What can we learn about self-efficacy sources from teachers’ experiences? and (b) How do teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs influence their effectiveness? This research is important given ongoing concerns regarding mathematics achievement and the role of teacher beliefs …

Comprehending Teacher Retention: A Qualitative Study Of Job Satisfaction Viewed Through The Frameworks Of Maslow And Herzberg, Shakeria G. Mccullough

Doctor of Education Dissertations

Teacher shortages pose a significant concern, as numerous educators are departing from the profession (OECD, 2025). Schools are encountering difficulties in filling vacant positions with droves of individuals planning to depart the profession (Lurye & Griesbach, 2022). This qualitative study investigated alternatively certified and traditionally certified teacher perceptions regarding job satisfaction and teacher retention within a single public school system. Findings showed the need for policy shifts that address organizational challenges, an increased focus on pathway-specific and individual supports, a procurement of purposeful and meaningful instruction, greater attention to the realities of teaching and the well-being of teachers, and a …

Exploring Teacher And Business Partner Perspectives On Cte Effectiveness, Jada Owenby

Doctor of Education Dissertations

This study explored stakeholder perceptions of Career and Technical Education (CTE) program effectiveness for preparing students for postsecondary pathways. The investigation focused on CTE teachers’ and business partners’ perspectives about student readiness and workforce preparation. This study used qualitative research and a theoretical framework from the Human Capital Theory, the Social Cognitive Career Theory, and the College and Career Readiness Framework. Participants included nine high school CTE teachers from different career clusters and five local business partners who were currently aligned with the district CTE program. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. Interview data were analyzed using theme analysis. Both …

2026 Engage For Change Awards Program, Bonner Center For Civic Engagement

Engage for Change Awards

2026 Award Print: Hamilton Glass, Artist

Keynote Speaker: Hamilton Glass, Artist

Differential Impact Of Admission Type And Clinical Complexity On Diabetes Hospitalization Costs Among African American And Hispanic Patients In Southeastern Virginia, Ismail El Moudden, Asra Amidi, Reem Sharaf-Alddin, Michael C. Bittner, Qi Zhang

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) imposes substantial healthcare costs with documented disparities among African Americans and Hispanic patients. To inform care delivery and resource allocation, this study identified hospitalization cost predictors among African American and Hispanic patients with diabetes in Southeastern Virginia.

Methods

We analyzed 6,011 hospital discharges from the Virginia Health Information database (2016-2020) for adults aged 18-85 with diabetes. Discharges were classified by Medicare Severity Diagnosis-Related Groups: DM with complications/comorbidities (DCC, n = 3,328), DM with major complications/comorbidities (DMCC, n = 1,518), and DM without major complications/comorbidities (DWO, n = 1,165). Because cost distributions were right-skewed (skewness 3.5-8.24), we …

Medical Image Feature Extraction And Selection Based On Inception V3 And Gini Index For Cervical Cancer Cells Identification, Rachida Assawab, Mounir Ouzir, Badreddine Benyacoub, Abderrahim Electrochemical Sensor For Tenofovir Allati, Ismail El Moudden

Research and Infrastructure Service Enterprise (RISE) Faculty Publications

Background: Cervical cancer remains the fourth most common cancer in women globally, with 604,000 new cases annually. Early detection through cytological screening is critical, but manual interpretation suffers from high false negative rates and requires expert pathologists often unavailable in resource-limited settings.

Methods: We developed a novel hybrid framework combining InceptionV3-based deep feature extraction with Gini Index feature selection for automated cervical cancer cell classification. Using the Herlev dataset (917 Pap smear images: 242 normal, 675 abnormal), we extracted 2048 deep features and applied systematic feature selection to identify optimal discriminative subsets. Comprehensive clustering analysis (K-means, K-medoid, Fuzzy clustering) validated …

Selecting Plants And Informational Resources, Kat Kelleher

UNH Cooperative Extension

Considerations that go into plant selection on a site when thinking about creating resilient spaces that are able to provide more than one function.

Ecosystem Functions And Services - Landscaping For Water Quality (March 25, 2026 Gbnerr), Julia Peterson

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Marketing Water Quality Friendly Services, Julia Peterson

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Estuary, Kelle Loughlin

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Water Resource Protection Principles And Strategies, Julia Peterson

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

2026 Water Quality Considerations In Landscaping, Thomas Swenson

UNH Cooperative Extension

2026 Water Quality Considerations in Landscaping

Stormwater Best Management Practices, Kat Kelleher

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Assessing And Understanding Soil Characteristics, Amy Papineau

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Nh State Shoreland Water Quality Protection Act (Landscaping For Water Quality Workshop - 2026), Jay Aube

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Utilizing Emergency Management Audio Messages For Traffic Incident Management Performance Measures, Christopher Gartner, Vihaan Vajpayee, Jairaj Desai, Darcy M. Bullock

JTRP Technical Reports

Timely and accurate information regarding roadway incidents is critical for Traffic Management Centers (TMCs) to maintain safety and mobility. While Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) cameras and crowdsourced data provide significant visibility, rural interstate corridors often suffer from coverage gaps, or "blind spots," where incidents go undetected until significant queuing occurs. Public safety radio communications serve as the primary coordination method for first responders, creating a "verbal infrastructure" that contains vital information regarding incident location and severity. This study evaluates the feasibility of using Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) to bridge these gaps by monitoring and analyzing radio traffic. The project developed …