Digital Commons Network^™

How Do Parents Influence Female Students' Engineering Trajectory?, Niloufar Bayati, Cameron Denson

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

Using the Parental Socialization Framework, this research provides a detailed analysis of how early STEM exposure, parental confidence in abilities, and gender-neutral upbringing contribute to the development of STEM identities among women. Employing a hermeneutic phenomenological approach, six undergraduate women engineering majors were interviewed in-depth about their parents' influence on their STEM pathways. The findings reveal that parents' high academic expectations, confidence in their daughters' abilities, verbal and non-verbal encouragement, and early STEM opportunities are pivotal in steering female participants toward engineering. The study also underscores the importance of creating a gender-neutral environment that allows girls to explore and develop …

School-Based Agricultural Educators’ Educational Technology Integration Self-Efficacy And Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge: A Relational Study, Macey Kleinjan, Brooke L. Thiel, Adam Marx

Journal of Research in Technical Careers

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between school-based agricultural education (SBAE) teacher Technological Content Knowledge, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, and Technological Pedagogical Knowledge and teachers’ technology integration self-efficacy through the use of TPACK and the Intrapersonal Technology Integration Scale (ITIS). In-service SBAE teachers from four upper-Midwest states were surveyed to assess their current self-efficacy related to the integration and utilization of the educational technology available in their classroom and curriculum. According to the findings of this study, SBAE teachers are using educational technology in their classrooms and curriculum daily but are only slightly confident in their ability …

Building Educator Sel Capacity To Support Disruptive Student Behavior, Kendall Eshenfelder Fenton

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

This improvement science dissertation addressed disruptive student behavior by building educators’ SEL capacity and knowledge. Specifically, the study provided classroom teachers with Tier I SEL instructional lessons and training to support managing disruptive student behaviors within the classroom. This intervention at a suburban elementary school consisted of a six-week intervention that included weekly professional learning sessions and SEL lessons to be implemented in the classroom. This action research, using a mixed methods convergent preexperimental design, included quantitative data assessing classroom teachers’ SEL knowledge and capacity. The researcher also gathered qualitative data through semi-structured interviews with participants following the completion of …

Lessons Through Affirmations: Increasing Educators’ Capacity To Empower Children To Push Through, Jasmyn N. Wright

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

This improvement science dissertation explores how affirmation-based practices can enhance teachers’ capacity to support student engagement, resilience, and healthy self-concept, particularly in high-needs urban classrooms. The researcher employed a participatory action research design using mixed methods over an eight-week intervention. The “Lessons Through Affirmations” program included structured daily affirmations, reflective journaling, and teacher professional development. Quantitative data from pre/post surveys and weekly rubrics indicated consistent growth across SEL domains, notably in student resilience and instructional confidence. Qualitative reflections and interviews revealed that students internalized affirmations, demonstrated improved emotional regulation, and took ownership of the practice, while teachers reported personal growth …

The Rise Of Cyber Conflict As A Policy Tool: A Comparison Of The United States And The People's Republic Of China, Sophia Radzim

Master's Theses

This thesis explores cyber incident trends and its effects on conflict resolution of interstate relationships between the U.S. and China. Key findings of this research discovered that the U.S. relies on diplomatic negotiations to resolve cyber conflicts and does not utilize an aggressive approach within the cyber domain. China, on the other hand, has aggressively expanded its cyber capabilities. They leverage cyber attacks to promote their technology, military, and economy sectors, while undermining the U.S.’ global status as a political leader and innovator. China’s dominance in cyberspace poses a great threat to the national security of the U.S. Through descriptive …

The Eugenic Sterilization Of Puerto Rican Women: A Case Of Us Interests And Religious/Spiritual Freedom, Anique Y. Jones

International Studies (MA) Theses

Between the 1930s and 1970s, approximately one-third of Puerto Rican women of childbearing age (20–49) were sterilized— the highest rate in the world during that time. Driven by U.S. political and economic interests, and underpinned by eugenic ideology, Governor Blanton Winship and President Franklin D. Roosevelt championed sterilization as a solution to the island’s perceived "overpopulation" and its associated problems: unemployment, disease, and poverty. While Puerto Rican women were exploited as instruments of U.S. policy, sterilization paradoxically became widely accepted as a form of birth control on the island. This thesis critically examines the power dynamics and collective responses that …

A Fragile New World: An Analysis Of The History, Present, And Future Of The U.S. Global Fragility Act, Declan F. Coakley

International Studies (MA) Theses

In 2019, the U.S. Congress passed the Global Fragility Act with bipartisan support. (GFA). The act aimed to reform U.S. foreign aid and development, focusing on stabilization initiatives that proactively address the root causes of conflict before they escalate into full-blown violence. Despite the significant implications of the GFA for both domestic and international foreign policy, extant research examining the novel legislation remains limited and disjointed in its examination. This paper builds on previous studies by combining content analysis and qualitative interviews with a diverse group of professionals within the foreign aid sector to offer a comprehensive analysis of the …

Predicting Perinatal Mood Disorders, Honey Newton

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Perinatal Mood Disorders (PMD) constitute a significant public health concern, impacting the perinatal patient and the family.

Purpose

This project describes the relationship between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Perinatal Mood Disorders including depression and anxiety.

Goals

The goals of this study were to define the perinatal population in a rural Montana clinic and describe the relationship between ACEs and PMDs to identify early intervention opportunities.

Methods

A ten-year retrospective IRB approved study described the relationship between ACE, PHQ9 and OASIS scores to determine the prevalence of PMD and connection to ACE’s in perinatal patients in rural northwest Montana. Calculations were …

Prediabetes In Rural Primary Care: Screening, Diagnosis And Treatment, Rebecca M. Bodle-Shingu

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background

Prediabetes affects one in three US adults. Over 80% of individuals with prediabetes are unaware of having the condition. Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPG) recommend screening adults 35 to 70 years old with a BMI of 25 or higher. Prediabetes treatment consists of lifestyle modification, referrals to nutrition counseling, and metformin for individuals who cannot make lifestyle changes. Diagnosis and treatment of prediabetes reduces the risks or delays the progression to type 2 diabetes.

Purpose

The purpose of this DNP quality improvement project was to impact primary care providers beliefs, knowledge, and practices in identifying, diagnosing, and treating …

How Mental And Emotional Stress Impacts Vocal Phonation In Adolescent Singers, Samantha M. Thielen Pak

Graduate Thesis Collection

This study examines the relationship between mental/emotional stress and vocal phonation abilities in high school choir students. 17 pairs of General Health Questionnaires and Vocal Screenings were completed by four student participants. These questionnaires and screenings were completed on a weekly basis. Within the General Health Questionnaire, there were several negative correlations with “Concentration” from the General Health Questionnaire results, those being “Loss of Sleep” (r = -0.547, p = 0.023) and “Losing Confidence in Self” (r = 0.575, p = 0.016), as detailed in Table 3. The largest correlations to “Concentration” are “Under Strain” (r = -0.742, p = <.001) and “Feeling Unhappy” (r = -0.746, p = <.001). From the documented screenings, there was very little impact noted on the phonological abilities of the participants. Presence of “Non-Musical Sounds” had a strong correlation with “Tone Quality” (r = 0.683, p = 0.001), showing that there was an increase of non-musical sounds when tone quality had decreased in score.

Spatiotemporal Changes In The Imperiled And Diverse Mussel Assemblage Of The Spring River In Kansas In Response To Known And Emerging Pollutants, Joshua Holloway

Electronic Theses & Dissertations

Kansas was historically home to 50 species of freshwater mussels, of which 42 remain extant. The Spring River of southeastern Kansas is home to 34 of the remaining 42 mussels, many of which are imperiled. Elevated metal concentrations that resulted from past lead and zinc mining in the Tri-State Mining District historically imperiled Spring River mussels, but this threat has abated over the last 20 years. Ammonia pollution may have replaced the threat of metals, however, with potentially severe consequences for Spring River mussels. Our objectives were to evaluate contemporary mussel assemblage structure, in addition to spatiotemporal trends in the …

Effect Of Traumatic Brain Injury On Quality Of Life, Mohammad A. Al Rjoob

Theses

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from external events, such as falls and motor vehicle accidents leading to brain damage. This study investigated quality of life (QoL) in individuals with TBI and its relation to demographic and clinical variables, including gender, age, educational level, time since TBI onset, fatigue, depression and cognitive function. Twelve individuals with TBI participated in this cross-sectional study. Quality of life was assessed using Quality of Life after Brain Injury and ASHA Quality of Communication Life Scale measures. Fatigue was measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale, depression was measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale, and cognitive function …

Gender Knobs, Jordan Faye Bardgett

Theses

Gender Knobs is a performance art piece that tells the histories of both the technology surrounding pitch shifting devices like the vocoder as well as well as the personal history of the voice of the performer, Jordan, regarding their queer identity as non-binary trans woman. The performance is a combination of lecture, personal storytelling, and sound performance within a theatrical setting with musical accompaniment and projected visuals.

A Costuming Carol: A Costume Design Thesis On A Christmas Carol, Aleka Fischer

Theses

This thesis is a collection of research, analysis, design, and production work done for the costumes for A Christmas Carol. The play production took place in the McLeod Theater at Southern Illinois University from December 5th- December 8th, 2024. The play was written by Darwin Reid Payne and published in 1981. It is an adaptation of the novella A Christmas Carolby Charles Dickens. Chapter 1 contains the research and script analysis used to make design decisions for this production. Chapter 2 documents the design process, and how the costume design evolved between the first and final design meetings. Chapter 3 …

Elliptic Curves And Their Applications In Cryptography, Mercedes Danange Moll

Theses

This thesis explores the mathematical foundations and cryptographic applications ofelliptic curves. To understand elliptic curves, we start by introducing group theory, ring theory, and field theory. Then, we dive into elliptic curves, their algebraic structure, and the group law defined on their points. We then examine elliptic curves over finite fields, leading to the discrete logarithm problem and key cryptographic applications such as Weil Pairings, the Diffie-Hellman key exchange, Digital Signature Algorithm, and Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithms. Using the theory and its application, this thesis highlights the significance of elliptic curves in modern cryptography.

Black Women During The Great Migration: Transitions From Sharecropping To Black Metropolis, Ryan Daye

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

The origin of the dissertation came about as me being the only southerner within the group of individuals completing the MALS Program. While studying Cultural studies, I began to take a focus on the Great Migration of black Americans migrating from the South to other regions of the United States. As a southerner, I was aware of the migration patterns but never went in-depth on the subject because I felt no connection. While studying, I noticed the perception of black women who were being used as subjects. Women who were being forced out of their southern situations because of segregation, …

Fiction For Feminist Jurisprudence: The Power Of The Literary Reality In Feminist Legal Scholarship, Elia M. O'Hara

All Theses And Dissertations

This paper asks what can it mean when we take women's stories and their realities seriously and allow them to paint a more nuanced portrayal of life and law? I will argue that a feminist legal theory — which aims to recognize and remedy the subordination of women seen through the legal system — needs a literary counterpart. Furthermore, I will argue that subtleties and nuances that make literature so alluring to us can also benefit in part from the structure and clarity that feminist jurisprudence can offer. One of my central aims is to show that we can create …

The Impact Of Waste Management On Green Spaces And Community Well-Being: A Case Study Of Wa Municipality, Upper West, Ghana, Al-Rauf Mahama

Sustainability and Social Justice

Urbanization in Low- and Middle-Income Countries such as Ghana has placed immense pressure on infrastructure, waste management systems, and urban green spaces. This study examines the impact of waste management practices on green spaces and community well-being in Wa Municipal, focusing on four communities: Dondoli, Mangu, Dokpong, and Bamahu. Using a participatory research approach, data collected from waste management authorities, sanitation agencies, and residents were used to examine waste composition, health impacts, and community engagement in environmental sustainability. The findings reveal that organic waste and plastics dominate waste composition, with inadequate disposal practices contributing to pollution and health issues, including …

Assessing The Effectiveness And Value Of Information On Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Center For Education's (Cie) Website, Herty Tinadu

Research Papers

Abstract

The internationalization of higher education has grown significantly over the past three decades, with international students playing a crucial role in fostering academic, cultural, and economic development in host countries. University websites are pivotal in supporting international student mobility, serving as primary sources of information during the decision-making process. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the Center for International Education (CIE) website at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) in disseminating information and providing a positive user experience for international students.

The study examines factors influencing website usability, such as content clarity, website architecture, user interface design, and …

Himmelfarb Headlines - May/June 2025, The George Washington University, Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library

Himmelfarb Headlines (2009 - present)

News, information, and resources relating to Himmelfarb Library that is of interest to patrons.

How Can The Enneagram Shed Light On Sin And Spiritual Abuse To Bring Healing To The Catholic Church?, Connie Burianek

Religious & Theological Studies Student Work

When critically approached and combined with modern understanding of brain function asymmetry, the Enneagram can shed much-needed light on how humanity attempts to evade a unique and intimate relationship with God through forms of self-deception, personally and collectively, regarding sins and virtues. The more profound understanding of personal human nature, which results from awareness of this self-deception, can shed light on the paradoxical truths of Christianity and what the universal call to holiness means for the world. Without this understanding, Christianity is often reduced to an ideology unable to match the challenges and realities of our modern world. This narrow …

Functional Analysis Of Chromatin Remodeler Csb In Parp1/2- Mediated Oxidative Dna Lesion Repair, Rabeya Bilkis

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

The ATP-dependent chromatin remodeler Cockayne syndrome protein B (CSB) is essential for maintaining genome integrity. Mutations in CSB are the primary cause of Cockayne syndrome (CS), a premature aging disorder with severe sun sensitivity and neurodevelopmental symptoms. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the disease etiology remain poorly understood. Given the critical roles of oxidative stress in aging and neurodegenerative disorders, this research sought to determine the mechanisms of CSB’s functions in oxidative DNA damage repair.

In the first aim, we investigated how CSB participates in PARP1/2-mediated oxidative DNA repair. We showed that PARP1 and PARP2 recruit CSB to oxidized chromatin …

Championing Sustainable Development In Academic Libraries: Insights From East Africa, Arnold Mwanzu, Joseph Mwangi

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

Sustainable development has become a global priority. The United Nations (UN) member states have endorsed the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to transform the world by 2030 into a sustainable society. This chapter reports on academic libraries’ initiatives in East Africa, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, which were explored through interviews and focus groups with librarians from East African university libraries. Library efforts can be assigned to the five priority action areas: advancing policy, transforming learning environments, building the capacity of educators, empowering and mobilising youth, and accelerating local-level action, as envisioned under UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) framework …

Measuring Abortion Incidence, Severity Of Complications, And Health Facilities’ Capacity To Provide Abortion Care In Refugee Settings In Uganda: Technical Report, Baobab Research Programme Consortium, Guttmacher Institute

Humanitarian Task Force

Unsafe abortion remains an avoidable cause of maternal mortality and morbidity in East Africa. However, little is known about abortion incidence or abortion-related complications among refugee populations in Uganda, which hosts the largest number of refugees in Africa (estimated at 1.6 million refugees in 2023). To fill this critical evidence gap and support program planning and advocacy, the Baobab Research Program Consortium (RPC), in collaboration with the Guttmacher Institute, implemented the first-ever Abortion Incidence Complications Method (AICM) in refugee settings in Uganda. The main objectives of this study were to measure the incidence of abortion; determine the severity of abortion-related …

On 2-Superirreducible Polynomials Over Finite Fields, J. W. Bober, L. Du, D. Fretwell, G. S. Kopp, T. D. Wooley

Faculty Publications

We investigate k-superirreducible polynomials, by which we mean irreducible polynomials that remain irreducible under any polynomial substitution of positive degree at most k. Let F be a finite field of characteristic p. We show that no 2-superirreducible polynomials exist in F[t] when p=2 and that no such polynomials of odd degree exist when p is odd. We address the remaining case in which p is odd and the polynomials have even degree by giving an explicit formula for the number of monic 2-superirreducible polynomials having even degree d. This formula is analogous to that given by Gauss for the number …

Elementary Teachers' Perception Of Preparedness For The Elementary Science Classroom, Julie Spino

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation explores the perception of preparedness among elementary teachers to effectively teach three-dimensional science lessons as advocated by the Next Generation Science Standards. A mixed methods approach combining qualitative interviews with quantitative analysis was employed to gain a full understanding of variables that are related to teachers feeling prepared for the classroom and what aspects of teacher preparation and professional experience are areas of success or areas of growth in terms of implementing effective science instruction in a large school district in southeastern Tennessee. Findings revealed teachers completing a full semester of student teaching perceived themselves to be significantly …

Spaced Out: An Exploration Of Potential Adhd Strategies And The Tennessee Comprehensive Assessment Program, Amelia Ribeiro

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The study investigated how implementing academic and behavioral strategies can improve outcomes for students with ADHD by addressing their challenges with cognitive and executive functioning, which impact academic and social skills. Students with ADHD often experience coexisting conditions like anxiety and depression, and they face difficulties in traditional education systems designed for neurotypical learners. Accommodations such as extended time, preferential seating, and breaking tasks into smaller steps are helpful but insufficient. Other strategies included providing digital and written notes, using graphic organizers, incorporating movement, and offering instant rewards to maintain focus and engagement. The research questions focused on the effectiveness …

Female Athletics: Exploring The Impact Of Female Coaches On Perceived Levels Of Athletic Self-Efficacy Among Female Athletes And Their Career Pursuits In Athletics, Alexandra King

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Since the induction of Title IX, women and girls had made significant advancements in sports participation. However, there has been a sharp decline in female representation in athletic leadership positions. This study examined the relationship between female athletes' perceived levels of self-efficacy and their willingness to explore a career in athletic coaching. The research focused on the impact of relationships between female athletes and their female coaches, utilizing the Leadership Scale for Sport to evaluate attributes such as training and instruction, democratic behavior, autocratic behavior, social support, positive feedback. This study addressed key research questions that investigated the perceived influence …

Funneling Chaos: Interiority In The Landscapes Of Dystopian Fiction, Mary Katherine Sheppard

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Dystopian fiction immerses readers in chaotic worlds where survival often hinges on understanding unspoken rules. Readers navigate these landscapes through the lens of the protagonist’s interiority. This thesis explores how interiority serves as a crucial narrative tool in dystopian literature, enabling readers to connect with protagonists and interpret their worlds. Through an analysis of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, Divergent by Veronica Roth, and The Stand by Stephen King, this study examines how interiority is achieved through point of view, layered emotions, and desire and misbelief. This study not only highlights the role of interiority in dystopian fiction …

Exploring Factors That Contribute To Resilience In Individuals With Disability, Daniel Joseph Carpenter

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

To challenge the medical model view of disability, this study will be focused on positive characteristics of individuals with disability that enable optimal human functioning, specifically how the need for cognition and attitudes towards technology relate to resilience in individuals with disability. Participants (n = 361) were recruited via Cloud Research/Amazon MTurk, taking an anonymous online survey including the Need for Cognition Scale, Conor-Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Computer Technology Use Scale. I hypothesized that attitudes towards technology would moderate the relationship between the need for cognition and resilience. Results indicated a small to moderate positive relationship (r = .318) …