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En Tiempos De Extinción, Adialyz Del Valle Berríos

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

En Tiempos de Extinción is a collection of short, mostly speculative, stories exploring themes of community, exploitation, resistance, and the ever-present effects of colonialism in nearly every aspect of life. “El Amor de una Diosa es Amor Suficiente” centers on a young girl’s initiation into a community that will do whatever it takes to indoctrinate the young. “Al Aire Libre” focuses on two tenured professors determined to enjoy their last day on the job, navigating the complicated feelings of what progress means in a world that prioritizes capital. In “OVNI,” the history of a wacky television dating show unravels …

Do Fair Schedules Matter? Work-Home Conflict And Justice In Emergency Medicine, Maresca J. Brand

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Emergency physicians work in a high-demand environment requiring irregular, around-the-clock schedules, which can contribute to elevated work-home conflict and burnout. While previous research has focused on objective schedule characteristics such as length of shift or time of day worked, less attention has been given to how emergency physicians perceive the fairness of the scheduling process itself. Drawing on Work-Home Resources Theory and Personal Resource Allocation Theory, this study examines whether perceptions of schedule justice influence work-home conflict via schedule satisfaction. I propose that perceived fairness in schedule creation functions as a contextual resource that shapes whether a schedule is experienced …

The Bite Model And Multi-Level Marketing: How Monat Propagates, Lilly D. Cheung

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

This study aims to understand how MONAT Global Corp, a Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) company, utilizes rhetoric that aligns with Steven Hassan’s BITE Model of Authoritarian Control. Hassan is a cult expert and cult survivor whose work primarily explains undue influence and thought control with BITE representing Behavior, Information, Thought, and Emotional control. The MLM MONAT is a haircare brand that operates through a recruitment-and-sales-based hierarchy, in which sellers sign up and work under one another in a layered marketing structure. To meet quotas and maintain ranks, representatives will use rhetorical strategies to recruit new sellers beneath them in their ‘downline’ …

Computational Modeling Of Bubble Dispersion In Alginate Hydrogel Foams For Radiologically Equivalent Biomedical Phantoms, Godson N. Brako

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

The foaming of hydrogels presents a promising strategy for tailoring mechanical and radiological properties to replicate biological soft tissues for biomedical phantoms. Achieving uniform and predictable void fraction distributions in alginate hydrogel foams remains a challenge due to the complex interplay between bubble dynamics, matrix rheology, and interfacial forces during the pre-gelation aeration stage. This thesis develops a Computational Fluid Dynamics framework using the transient Eulerian two-fluid approach to predict void fraction distribution in alginate hydrogel precursor solutions aerated by air injection through a bottom nozzle. The objective is to use the framework for design of the foaming system to …

Community-Based Urban Forestry: Creating And Sustaining Community Partnerships Between Urban Forestry Non-Profit Organizations And Academic Institutions, Paloma Doyle

Botany Honors Papers

No abstract provided.

Oil Palm (Elaeis Guineensis) Leaf Extract-Mediated Green Synthesis Of Tio2 Nanoparticles And Their Optical Characteristics, Nofrijon Sofyan, Andriayani, Yetria Rilda, Fiona Angellinnov, Mouna M'Rad, Muhammad, Aga Ridhova, Akhmad Herman Yuwono, Donanta Dhaneswara

Baghdad Science Journal

This work aims to explore the characteristics of TiO2 NPs green-synthesized via an environmentally friendly method using oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) leaf extract as a green medium and capping agent by utilizing titanium tetra isopropoxide (TTIP) as precursor. The oil palm leaves were extracted with different solvent concentration variations. The natural extract was characterized using liquid chromatography-mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) and infrared spectroscopy for active chemical contents and functional groups. The obtained TiO2 NPs were also characterized using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) for the functional groups, ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV-DRS) for the optical characteristics, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for the phase …

Hematite/Nio/Graphene Composites: Enhancing Humidity Energy Harvesting Through Temperature Variations, Nurul Syafiqah Mohamed Mustakim, Dayana Kamaruzaman, Norfarariyanti Parimon, Mohd Khairul Ahmad, Suriani Abu Bakar, Mohamad Hafiz Mamat

Baghdad Science Journal

Harvesting energy from humidity is a new approach that has emerged as a potential renewable energy source. However, there are drawbacks to current humidity-based energy-harvesting technologies, such as the absence of a long-term conversion mechanism in hygroscopic materials. In this study, we developed hematite/nickel oxide/graphene (hematite/NiO/Gr) on a cellulose-based substrate as the hygroscopic material for humidity-to-energy applications. We successfully synthesized a novel hematite/NiO/Gr composite using a cost-effective sonicated solution immersion method at different synthesis temperatures. Results indicated that the prepared hygroscopic material is hydrophilic, with a water contact angle of 67.83°. The fabricated humidity-to-energy device utilizing these hygroscopic materials yielded …

Effect Of Ba2+ Substitution At A-Site On Structural, Electrical, And Magnetic Properties Of Sm0.5Ca0.5Mno3 Perovskite Manganite, Nuraina Hanum Abdulruhim, Rozilah Rajmi, Muhammad Zulharmi Taqzim Kamaruzzaman, Norazila Ibrahim

Baghdad Science Journal

Mixed-valence perovskite manganites have attracted considerable attention due to their intriguing properties, such as colossal magnetoresistance and charge ordering (CO). In this study, Sm_0.5Ca_0.5-xBa_xMnO₃ (x = 0, 0.10, 0.20, 0.30, and 0.40) manganites were synthesized via the conventional solid-state reaction method to investigate the effect of Ba²⁺ substitution on their structural, magnetic, and electrical properties. X-ray diffraction patterns confirmed that all samples were single-phase and crystallized in an orthorhombic structure with a Pnma space group. Rietveld refinement indicated an increase in unit cell volume with increasing Ba²⁺ concentration, suggesting the successful …

Mapping Robusta Coffee (Coffea Canephora) Cropping Systems In Uganda: A Two-Step Pixel And Sub-Pixel Based Approach With Sentinel-2 Data, Getachew Kebede, Bester Tawona Mudereri, Onisimo Mutanga, Tobias Landmann, John Odindi, Natacha Motisi, Fabrice Pinard, Henri E.Z. Tonnang, Elfatih M. Abdel-Rahman

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Coffee is a highly valued commodity and a widely consumed beverage, playing an important role in global trade. However, coffee farming landscapes are increasing transitioning into smaller-scale agricultural setups. This transformation highlights the critical need for accurate classification and mapping of coffee cropping systems (CS), especially in countries like Uganda, where dense vegetation and complex terrain present substantial challenges to traditional land survey methods. Moreover, understanding the spatial distribution of Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora) CS is essential for developing site-specific management strategies, guiding extension services, and informing evidence-based policy decisions. To address this gap, the present study aimed to enhance …

Optimal Control Analysis Of Malaria Transmission In The Presence Of Insecticide Resistance And Climate Variability In Kenya, Lorna Chepkemoi, Titus Okello Orwa, Samuel Mwalili, Rachel Waema Mbogo, Steeven Belvinos Affognon, Daisy Salifu, Henri E.Z. Tonnang

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Malaria remains a major public health concern in Kenya, where changing climatic conditions, insecticide resistance, and mosquito behavioral adaptations continue to challenge control efforts. This study develops and analyzes a climate-sensitive malaria transmission model that incorporates mosquito behavior, insecticide resistance, and vector–human ecological dynamics to identify optimal control strategies for the Kenyan context. The model’s well-posedness was established, the basic reproduction number (R0) computed using the next-generation matrix method, and the stability of equilibrium points assessed. Spatial analysis of R0 was performed using temperature and rainfall raster data to map transmission risk across Kenya under varying insecticide use scenarios. Results …

Life Cycle Assessment Of Marine Composite Recreational Craft Manufacturing And Operations, Badr Moutik

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Marine composite recreational craft are growing in number. Sectoral roadmaps for sustainable development are increasing pressure to demonstrate life cycle environmental performance. Life cycle assessment (LCA) has been identified as a key strategic decision support tool. However, current practice is undermined by sparse, non-representative data and methodological inconsistencies. These weaknesses increase the risk of biased or misleading interpretation, constrain wider uptake of LCA, and limit the sector’s ability to respond credibly to tightening environmental sustainability expectations. This thesis assesses the cradle-to-grave environmental impacts of a market-representative glass-fibre reinforced plastic (GRP) motor yacht across 16 impact categories. The research builds on …

Mapping The Uk Commercial Fishing Network: A Knowledge-Based Framework For Sustainable Technology Adoption And Environmental Decision-Making, Matthew Prowse

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

The UK commercial fishing industry operates within a complex web of stakeholders, technologies, and environmental pressures that challenge traditional approaches to sustainability and resource management. This research develops a comprehensive framework for understanding how technological advancement in UK fisheries creates unintended consequences that threaten long-term sustainability. Through a mixed-methods approach combining PESTLE analysis, grounded theory methodology, stakeholder mapping, case study investigation, this study introduces the "By-Product and Excess" theoretical framework to explain how fishing technologies generate two critical outcomes: by-products (undesirable environmental impacts such as CO₂ emissions, microplastics, and ecosystem damage) and excess (enhanced capacity to harvest beyond sustainable limits).The …

Modelling And Optimisation Of Dynamic Power Cable Configurations For Floating Offshore Renewable Energy, Anna Holcombe

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Floating offshore renewable energy requires dynamic power cables to transmit generated electricity from the floating device to the seabed, or to an adjacent device, so that it can be exported to shore. Dynamic power cables are connected at the top end to a floating device, and traverse the water column, subjected to loading at the hang-off, and direct hydrodynamic loading from waves and currents. Their reliability has been a concern within industry and research, particularly due to historically high failure rates of static subsea cables. It is essential that design and analysis of dynamic power cables is accurate, to mitigate …

Oscillating Water Column Geometric Hybridisation And The Air Compressibility Effect, Gunay Gazaloglu

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Oscillating Water Column (OWC) devices represent one of the most operationally robust wave energy conversion technologies, yet their commercial deployment remains hindered by narrow resonant bandwidth, geometry-dependent efficiency, and uncertainties in scaling thermodynamic effects between model and prototype. This thesis addresses these limitations through a coordinated investigation combining physical experimentation, empirical and machine-learning prediction, and high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics.A systematic experimental campaign was conducted on five single- and dual-chamber OWC geometries (Conventional, U-OWC, L-OWC, DCOWC-1, and DCOWC-2) under regular waves, with controlled compressible and incompressible chamber configurations. The thermodynamic scaling discrepancy is quantified for the first time across hybrid geometries, …

Degrees Of Separation: Grandchildren's Experiences Of Grandparental Brain Tumor Or Stroke, Emily Sapsford, Alyson Norman, Sue Jackson, Josh Deacon, Emily Ravenhill, Pete Keohane

School of Psychology

The impact of acquired brain injury on family members is far reaching. Research has identified experiences of trauma, ambiguous loss and burden of care. Limited research has addressed the ripple effect of brain injury across the wider family. The study aimed to gain a detailed insight into the lived experiences of grandchildren of those who have experienced stroke or brain tumor. Ten participants (eight female and two males aged between 18 and 29) took part in semi-structured interviews about their experiences of grandparental stroke or brain tumor. Data were analyzed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Four themes were identified. The …

Lower Suicidal Ideation Linked To Easier Access To Urban Green Spaces During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Nationwide Study In Japan, Zheng Xian, Tomoki Nakaya, Clive E. Sabel, Ryo Okubo, Kun Liu, Jinguang Zhang, Takahiro Tabuchi

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Urban green spaces (UGSs) have been linked to improved mental health and lower suicide rates, yet their protective role during large-scale crises remains underexplored. We examined associations of UGS accessibility with long-term and pandemic induced new-onset suicidal ideation during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in urban Japan, using data from a nationwide health survey of 17,376 participants (August 2020). Modified Poisson regression models estimated prevalence ratios (PRs) for suicidal ideation by UGS accessibility (area, number, and type) within 5, 10, and 15-minute walking thresholds from home, controlling for individual and area-level confounders. UGS accessibility exhibited dose-response relationships with …

Direct And Indirect Metal Contamination Of Estuarine Sediments By Boat Paint Particles, Andrew Turner, Ho Kwan Cheung

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Surface and subsurface estuarine sediments close to a cluster of abandoned boats have been fractionated (between <250 and 5000 μm) and analysed microscopically for paint particles. Paints were encountered in all samples, with concentrations calculated for whole sediment samples up to 1450 per kg (dry weight). X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis of paint particles retained by the coarsest (>5000 μm) size fraction revealed heterogeneous concentrations of Ba, Cu, Pb, Sn and Zn that reflect pigments and antifoulants used in various recent and historical antifouling and above waterline boat paints. Analysis of sediments by XRF revelated heterogeneous distributions of these metals between locations, size fractions and depths, and among replicate measurements at different positions of the same sample. Consequently, no relationship with grain size (evaluated using Rb as a proxy) was evident and concentrations often greatly exceeded predicted effect levels for sediments. Re-analysis …

Feasibility Study On The Development Of Indiana’S Connected And Automated Vehicle Roadmap And Strategic Plan, Can Cui, Juanwu Lu, Yupeng Zhou, Abin Mathew, Jue Zhou, Ziran Wang, Yaobin Chen

JTRP Technical Reports

This study provides INDOT with critical insights into major OEMs’ connected and autonomous vehicle (CAV) development plans and related research and demonstration activities in several surrounding states, guiding infrastructure investment and policy decisions. The report delivers three outputs that guide the CAV technologies implementation in Indiana. First, it synthesizes the best regional practices and industry direction to distinguish what is feasible now from what requires further development. Second, it establishes a technical baseline that links priority applications to sensing and communications architectures with explicit attention to interoperability, security, and maintainability. Third, it defines an implementation framework that connects capital and …

Assessment Of Temperature Correction Factors For Falling Weight Deflectometer Deflections, Pablo Orosa Iglesias, Jin Li, Bongsuk Park, Seonghwan Cho, John E. Haddock

JTRP Technical Reports

This study presents the development of an improved temperature correction methodology for falling weight deflectometer (FWD) deflections in full-depth asphalt pavements. The objective was to address the limitations of existing correction methods by integrating viscoelastic pavement behavior, structural properties, and realistic thermal gradients. Field temperature data from instrumented sites in Indiana were used to train a machine learning model capable of predicting pavement temperature profiles in flexible pavements. These predictions informed a series of finite element simulations that captured pavement responses to FWD loading under a range of thermal and structural conditions. Temperature correction factors were then derived and modeled …

Research Support To Indot On Systemwide Asset Condition Assessment Using Connected Vehicle Data, Andrew Thompson, Jairaj Desai, Rahul Suryakant Sakhare, Darcy M. Bullock

JTRP Technical Reports

Crowdsourced pavement roughness data using connected vehicles now provides cost-effective, high-resolution condition monitoring in near real-time. This study evaluates how connected vehicle data can support effective investment prioritization across Indiana’s road network and improve upon traditional data sources using surveys that are often done annually or biennially. A key challenge is handling terabyte-scale geospatial roughness datasets and integrating them meaningfully into asset management workflows. A scalable data processing methodology is outlined to address this issue and is used for the subsequent analysis.

This report’s analysis uses more than 3 billion daily CV-estimated roughness measurements (IRICVe) from 2022–2025, in addition to …

Physics-Based Modelling Of Concrete Degradation Phenomena: Impact Of Construction Defects On Long Term Cost And Material Properties, Manuel Salmeron, Oscar D. Forero, Talha Faiz Mohammed, Kabir Shrivastava, Shirley J. Dyke, Julio A. Ramirez

JTRP Technical Reports

The quality of workmanship and adherence to specifications during the bridge construction phase of concrete decks, slabs, and continuous T-beams, are key factors on which future structural performance and durability hinge. If construction practices do not meet the required standards of quality, they may trigger early onset of deterioration processes that shorten the service life leading to unplanned interventions or unscheduled repairs, thus intensifying the need for maintenance actions and increasing costs during the service life of the bridge. Despite the consensus view that substandard construction practices reduce the performance of concrete structures, quantifying the impact is challenging. This difficulty …

Rampcast Phase Ii: Connected Vehicles Traffic Management Application On Indiana Highways, Abin Mathew, Agnideven Palanisamy Sundar, Juntong Peng, Jue Zhou, Yaobin Chen, Feng Li

JTRP Technical Reports

This project advances connected vehicle applications by developing and testing an enhanced RampCast system, a comprehensive traffic management system using C-V2X technology for Indiana highways. The system features a dual-mode architecture integrating both short-range (PC5) and long-range cellular (Uu) C-V2X communication pathways, utilizing commercial-grade Cohda MK6 hardware and adhering to SAE J2735 standards to ensure interoperability. A key innovation is the integration of an AI-based prioritization framework, which leverages a large language model to enhance the contextual relevance of traffic messages. This AI system introduces two intelligent agents: one to dynamically estimate the appropriate display distance for an event based …

Pedestrian And Bicyclist Trespassing Impacts On Rail Grade Crossings Safety And Mobility, Shanyue Guan, Siqi Chen, Shufan Liu, Samy Noureldin, Bridgette Hail, Brandon Burgoa, Elizabeth Mouser, Alison Shaner, Paige Story, Karen Stippich

JTRP Technical Reports

Highway roads intersect with a railroad track, forming a multimodal transportation system. The intersection is called a highway railroad grade crossing (HRGC). Because of the multiple transportation operations, induced conflict at the grade crossing, crashes may happen between road users (e.g., automobiles, pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.) and trains in operations at highway railroad grade crossings. This is a global challenge for many countries around the world. According to the 2022–2026 Indiana Strategic Highway Safety Plan and 2022 Indiana Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Safety Action Plan, one of the biggest challenges facing Indiana is the higher numbers of pedestrians in and around crossing …

The Business Case For Sustainable Road Infrastructure Development, David Holguin Mejia, Deepak Benny, Dong Yoon Song, Konstantina Gkritza, Kumares Sinha, Samuel Labi

JTRP Technical Reports

This study developed a business-case framework for embedding sustainability into the Indiana Department of Transportation’s (INDOT) practices. The study first identified the role of sustainability in road infrastructure development, and then discussed strategic plans, sustainability programs, and institutional challenges that shape how sustainability actions are conceived and executed. The study reviewed existing sustainability rating systems, established exposure metrics, and subsequently developed a business-case framework called the Road Infrastructure Sustainability Evaluation (RISE) to guide INDOT in embedding sustainability across the full infrastructure lifecycle, from planning through end-of-life. RISE follows a multicriteria analysis approach, incorporating indicator selection, criteria evaluation, weighting, normalization, and …

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 …

Portable Driving Simulation Platform For Innovative Intersections, Luyang Jiang, Zihao Li, David Chen, Blake Edwards, Angel Rivera Cardenas, George Takahashi, Brandon Pitts, Ziran Wang

JTRP Technical Reports

This report presents a portable driving simulation platform developed to improve public understanding and evaluation of innovative intersection designs. Built in Unity, the system integrates real-world roadway data with modular traffic and vehicle simulation to create realistic, interactive driving scenarios. Results show the platform effectively supports driver learning and stakeholder engagement, demonstrating its feasibility as a tool for education, safety analysis, and deployment support of innovative intersections.

Influence Of Nanomaterials-Based Admixtures And Polymeric Microspheres On Entrained Air Void System And Freeze-Thaw (F/T) Resistance Of Concrete, Alberto Castillo, Jan Olek, Mirian Velay-Lizancos,

JTRP Technical Reports

This study investigated the feasibility of using colloidal nanosilica (nS) as microstructure modifier and polymeric microspheres (MS) as alternative air-entrainment systems for Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) bridge deck concrete. These admixtures have gained interest due to their potential to modify the air-void system, enhance freeze–thaw (F/T) resistance, reduce permeability, and improve early-age performance. However, their field applicability depends on understanding their sensitivity to mixture composition, type of batching process, consolidation practices, and water-to-cement (w/c) ratio. The objectives of this research were to: (1) conduct field trials incorporating nS and MS and evaluate both fresh and hardened properties, (2) compare …

Developing And Evaluating A Multidimensional Measure Of Pride In The Lgbtqia+ Community, Donovan Edward

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Pride in LGBTQIA+ spaces has thus far been an ethereal concept with no universally agreed-upon definition. Previous literature frequently connects pride to traits such as resilience, comfort, confidence, and identity expression. This is a critical oversight, as most measures of LGBTQIA+ experiences focus on the negative aspects of queer experiences (e.g., vulnerability, victimization) or are created to evaluate non-LGBTQIA+ perceptions of LGBTQIA+ people, falsely characterizing this community in a deficit-based light. In response, this study aimed to offer a holistic definition of pride and develop a psychometrically sound measure of pride stemming from culturally salient expressions by using rigorous analytical …

Remember To Say Her Name - Addressing Black Women's Experiences Of Vicarious Police Brutality And Testing A Racial Trauma Meditation, Gabriella A. Roper

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Black women and girls are disproportionately impacted by police violence, as some are victims of brutality but also as viewers of police violence videos and advocates for police reform (Williams, 2021). Yet, most media coverage centers on police brutality against Black men, rendering the suffering of Black women largely invisible. Studies indicate heightened rates of distress experienced by Black women as a result of race-based stressors, compounded by their limited access to adaptive coping mechanisms (Beauliere, 2022; Hawkins, 2022). This study investigated the psychological effects of vicarious police brutality exposure on Black women. In addition, this study evaluated the effectiveness …

Examining How Engagement Strategies Of Principals Influence Teacher Retention In Urban Title I Schools, Bridgette Allen

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

As the teacher shortage continues to rise, it is critical for educational leaders to focus on teacher retention. Principals play a significant role in teacher retention, teacher engagement, and job satisfaction; therefore, they must implement effective engagement strategies to improve teacher retention. The purpose of this basic qualitative study is to explore how engagement strategies employed by principals at urban Title I schools contribute to teachers’ decisions to remain at these schools. The research question for this study examines teachers’ perspectives on how the engagement strategies used by their school principals influence their decision to remain in an urban Title …