Digital Commons Network^™

Wide Lock-In Energy Harvesting From Vortexinduced Vibrations Of A Deformable Cylinder, Ahmed Raafat Mostafa

Theses

Energy harvesting from ambient sources has gained attention due to increasing energy demands. Despite VIV-based harvesters showing significant potential, their lock-in region, where significant power is generated, is narrow. Given the continuously varying ambient conditions of fluid currents, harvesters can easily fall into de-synchronization, yielding low energy output. Existing solutions like tunable masses or multiple degrees of freedom systems increase complexity and weight, limiting practical applications. This work introduces a novel variable diameter cylinder mechanism—a practical technique that actively tunes the cylinder’s geometry in real time to enhance energy harvesting efficiency from VIV. The mechanism employs an expanding pulley system …

Credentials, Audrey Ickes

A Midwestern Review: A Magazine of the Arts and Issues at DePauw University

Audrey Ickes is a Senior English-Writing major and History and Communications double minor. Flip to page 31 to see the rest of her credentials or page 23 to find out why she writes whether she likes to or not.

4-H Camps: Complexities In Adult-Youth Dynamics, Stephanie Femrite, Rebecca Mott, Steven Krauss

Journal of Youth Development

Summer camp programs provide adolescent counselors with opportunities to work alongside adult staff, aiming to develop critical skills such as communication, responsibility, independence, and teamwork. Growing research supports the value of camp-based developmental relationships through youth-adult partnerships. However, tensions often arise as adults struggle to share power while youth question their roles as partners. Few studies have investigated the role of expectations and realities in camps that promote a youth-adult partnership approach. To address this gap, a qualitative study was conducted to explore the role perceptions of 14- to 18-year-old camp counselors and program directors’ expectations of counselors’ roles in …

Gender-Sexuality Alliance Advisors’ Covid-19 Strategies Inform Future Responses To Sociopolitical Crises, Robert Marx, Michael O'Brien, Megan Yang, Diana Smith, Paul Poteat

Journal of Youth Development

In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a sudden shift to remote learning in schools across the United States, profoundly impacting marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ students. This qualitative study explores the experiences of Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) advisors during this period. Drawing on interviews with 10 GSA advisors, the research highlights the structural and logistical challenges faced, such as limited access to technology and virtual-meeting fatigue, as well as the innovative solutions and adaptations made to continue supporting LGBTQ+ youth. The study reveals how GSAs leveraged existing resources, maintained group cohesion, and adjusted meeting structures to navigate …

The Importance Of Optimising Performance Within Retrofit Programmes, Seamus Harrington, Mark Mulville

Conference Papers

Ireland’s Climate Action Plan details a roadmap of measures that seek to achieve net-zero target carbon emissions by 2050. In this context, Ireland has introduced the National Retrofitting Scheme (NRS) which has set a goal of retrofitting c. 30% of existing dwellings to a Building Energy Rating (BER) of B2 by 2030. The route to attaining this rating is dependent on the current specification and configuration of each individual property, therefore it can promote the adoption of retrofit techniques that achieve the required BER rating as opposed to focussing on optimisation of dwelling performance. The pre-cursor to the NRS was …

Promoting Global Collaboration To Improve Bioaerosol Exposure Assessment And Understanding Of Associated Health Impacts: Outcomes From A Series Of Workshops, Emma L. Marczylo, Simon Jackson, Christine Bell, Daniel Andrews, Martin J.D. Clift, Ian Crawford, Gyorgy Fejer, Robert M.W. Ferguson, Matthew C. Fisher, Emma Jane Goode, James Isaac, Rob Kinnersley, Julie A. Morrissey, Sofya Pozdniakova, Carla Viegas, Andrew Ward, Inge M. Wouters, Frederic Coulon, Zaheer A. Nasir, Philippa Douglas

School of Biomedical Sciences

We are surrounded, in both indoor and outdoor environments, by air containing particles of biological origin (bioaerosols). We constantly inhale them, and, depending upon their size, they deposit in different parts of our airways. Despite their ubiquitous nature and our constant exposure, bioaerosol diversity and composition of the environment are not well characterized, and we understand little about which bioaerosols we are exposed to and how this impacts our health, either positively or negatively. Indoor/Outdoor Bioaerosols Interface and Relationships Network (BioAirNet), a Clean Air Programme-funded network, has recognized the need for the bioaerosol community to reflect on the current challenges …

Does Gender Spell Success? Exploring Female Student Perspectives Of Faculty At A Higher Educational Institution, Chitora Jackson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative interpretative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of female students at a higher educational institution and to understand how those experiences shape their perspectives of female and male faculty. Additionally, this study sought to discover how faculty gender influences their interactions with students and the similarities and differences between interactions and the potential for student success as they define it.

The overall goal was to better understand how female students experience faculty interactions and help to promote more positive outcomes for students through the supportive efforts of those who teach them. Data were …

Utilization And Perception Of Individual Performance Assessments Among Instrumental Music Educators In Northeastern Pennsylvania, Thomas Bassett

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative grounded theory study aimed to develop a theory explaining how secondary instrumental music educators in Northeastern Pennsylvania select, implement, and perceive performance assessments. Teachers need actionable data to determine the next steps in the learning process. The study design included twelve semi-structured interviews of Pennsylvania-certified music educators and a content analysis of any scoring tools or rubrics that they provided. The analysis process included open, axial, and thematic coding with the development of the core category and theory. Despite some prior research into performance assessments in music education, the literature lacked research with explanatory power over teachers’ assessment …

Parent-Child Relationship Satisfaction Influences After Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Is Delivered To An Anxious Child: A Quantitative Analysis From The Parent’S Perspective, Michelle S. Saunders

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Social media culture is prevalent today, which encourages inclusion, exclusion, self-doubt, bullying, and other positive and negative social and emotional learning (SEL). Children are exposed to social media which has both positive and negative daily consequences. The prognosis and remission rates of anxiety are declining, with the risk of maladaptive regulation symptoms. A strong positive foundation of SEL promotes core identity, beliefs, morals, values, and interpersonal growth throughout a lifespan. Parenting styles (parent), the child’s psychosocial development (child), religious morals and values (religion), and psychotherapy (therapy) are influences of change that can help create healthy SEL. Therapy interventions are sought …

Succession Planning: Lessons From A Qualitative Single Case Study Of Ceo Behaviors Within A Small To Medium Enterprise Hospitality Industry Organization, Denise Mazzei

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

For hospitality organizations to innovate in every direction and attract, engage, and retain their most potential internal talent, the CEOs of their organizations must prioritize succession planning within their organization’s strategic plans. In small to medium enterprise hospitality organizations, some CEOs overlook succession planning as a strategic imperative. Within the context of SME hospitality organizations, this qualitative method single case study research project focused on answering three questions to illuminate why some CEOs do not prioritize succession planning among the multiplicity of their responsibilities. The first question explored whether there is a need for CEO succession planning. The second question …

Injury Trends And Patterns In Collegiate Football: A Retrospective Analysis Of Position-Specific Injuries At A Division I College, Cassidy Cave

All Student Scholarship

Injury surveillance in collegiate football provides critical insight for the identification of trends, risk factors, and prevention strategies. While national databases have offered foundational knowledge, program-specific analysis remains essential for targeted clinical care. A retrospective analysis was conducted on injuries sustained during the 2024 season by a NCAA Division I collegiate football team, with emphasis on injury type, affected body part, and athlete position. Data was collected from internal injury reports spanning from August through November of 2024, including all orthopedic injuries and general medical concerns evaluated by the sports medicine team during official team activities. A total of 293 …

From Tragedy To Triumph: Maine’S Lgbtq+ History (1984-2005), Aidan King '25

All Student Scholarship

Maine’s LGBTQ+ history may be very rich, but true acceptance was an uphill battle. For decades, queer residents of Maine fought for equal rights in the state. The Stonewall riots in 1969 in New York City were an early sign that LGBTQ+ citizens were not going to continue to let their identities be suppressed, but as the years progressed, so too did the confidence of queer people to be open about their identities, including in Maine. In 1973, at the University of Maine, the Wilde-Stein Club was established, to the deep chagrin of homophobic fundamentalist preachers whose protests against the …

Adolescent Externalizing Symptoms And Parent Emotion Socialization: An Examination Of Longitudinal Effects And Differences By Adolescent Sex, Cheston West

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adolescence is an important developmental context with several changes in social and emotional functioning. Though adolescents are gaining independence from their caregivers, they still engage in dynamic interactions with their caregivers who remain key figures in their lives. When adolescents express emotions, caregivers engage in various behaviors in response to these expressions, a process known as emotion socialization. This process has mostly been examined as a parent-driven construct in which parent emotion socialization impacts child-level outcomes, namely internalizing symptoms, with limited research on externalizing symptoms. However, available literature demonstrates that child-level characteristics (e.g., externalizing symptoms) are linked to differences in …

Alarm With Care – A Falls Alarm Deimplementation, Honey Coronado, Brenda Kinning, Antonieta Laguna, Marian Mationg, Kimberly Martinez, Mary Pena, Divya Prakash, Mariavianney Seabolt, Norma Torres, Stephanie Wunderlich, Crystal Johnston, Jill Davis Rider, Anish Chacko, Lisa Turnbull, Michael Barrett

Covenant Nurses Week 2025

No abstract provided.

Breaking Bread And Building Bonds: The Impact Of Meal Sharing In The Workplace, Emilia Garcia, Whitney Ferguson

Covenant Nurses Week 2025

No abstract provided.

Functional Consequences Of Lysine Acetylation Of Phosphofructokinase Isozymes, Xinyu Lin, Nour Fatema, Qinglei Gan, Chenguang Fan

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications and Presentations

Phosphofructokinase (Pfk) catalyzes the phosphorylation of fructose 6-phosphate and is a key regulatory point in the glycolysis pathway. Multiple lysine residues in both Pfk isozymes, PfkA and PfkB, have been identified to be acetylated in Escherichia coli by proteomic studies, but no studies have been implemented to further characterize these acetylation events. To investigate the role of Pfk acetylation, the genetic code expansion strategy was used to generate homogeneously acetylated Pfk variants at target lysine sites that have been reported to be acetylated in nature. We found that acetylation of K309 of PfkA and K27 of PfkB decreased PfK enzyme …

The Challenges Small And Medium-Sized Businesses Face Adopting Digital Supply Chain Technologies: A Case Study Of Firms In Traditional Industries In The United States, Michael S. Stevens

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research examined the digital transformation of supply chains within small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), focusing on the challenges firms in traditional industries in the United States face in adopting these technologies to improve performance. Through a single case study qualitative approach, the study examined why some SMBs face these challenges, digital supply chain technologies affect business performance, and which technologies they contemplate to achieve their desired outcomes. Key findings indicate that most SMBs are between the digitization and digitalization phases of the digital transformation journey and are driven to adopt digital technologies that enable operational performance for scalable profitability. …

A Quantitative Study Teaching De-Escalation With Virtual Reality Simulation To Associate Nursing Students Measuring Effectiveness, Learning, And Confidence, Michele Rene Marbet

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Workplace violence against nurses is a critical global public health issue, as one in four nurses reportedly experience physical assault by patients. This quantitative quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest study aimed to assess the effectiveness of virtual reality simulation as a teaching strategy for de-escalation education in associate nursing students’ (N = 29) perception in learning and confidence. The study utilized the Simulation Effectiveness Tool-Modified (SET-M) instrument to measure outcomes guided by Kolb's experiential learning theory and the NLN Jeffries simulation theory. The learning variable demonstrated significant improvement as confirmed by paired t-test analysis (p < .01). For the effectiveness and confidence variables, which violated assumptions of normality, a comprehensive statistical approach was implemented. Analysis included parametric testing via paired t-tests, supplemented by nonparametric methods (Wilcoxon Signed-ranks test and Sign test) to ensure statistical rigor. The cumulative results across all three statistical tests consistently demonstrated significant improvements (p < .001). Effect size calculations revealed medium to large significance for all variables measured by Cohen’s d. The conclusive findings of this research included a rejection of all three null hypotheses, which suggests that virtual reality simulation is an effective teaching strategy for developing de-escalation skills, enhancing both learning and confidence among associate nursing students. Future studies are needed to further validate and expand upon the findings of the current research, potentially leading to more widespread adoption of virtual reality simulation in nursing education for teaching de-escalation.

Identifying Barriers, Challenges And Opportunities Of Implementing Retrofitting Strategies In Existing Buildings In The Uae, Ahmad Ghalib Masri

Theses

The built environment of the UAE faces sustainability challenges because of its high energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions which require successful retrofitting methods to enhance aging buildings' performance and efficiency. This research investigates the barriers and challenges and opportunities of retrofitting strategy implementation in the UAE to provide direction for policymakers and stakeholders regarding sustainable practices. The research employed a mixed-methods approach through literature reviews and stakeholder surveys and interviews. The study shows that high upfront costs (68% of respondents) and building owner awareness limitations (54%) and fragmented regulations with inconsistent thermal insulation standards across emirates represent major barriers. …

A Study Of The Impact Of Balancing, Geometric Transformation, Generative Networks, And Roi Techniques In Eye Diseases Classification, Sghaira Hareb Alnuaimi

Theses

Automatic detection of ocular diseases helps medical professionals efficiently identify eye disorders, reduce diagnostic errors, and accelerate diagnoses to prevent blindness. Deep learning has been successfully utilized in various fields, including medical image classification. However, in spite of these advancements, challenges remain in ocular disease classification.

The objective of this work is to address these challenges using data processing, data augmentation in combination with Region of Interest (ROI) techniques. Medical datasets often suffer from scarcity, imbalance, and low-quality images, leading to inaccurate classification. To mitigate these issues, we utilize the ODIR dataset, which contains 7,000 labelled training images for both …

Encapsulation Of Lactobacillus Reuteri Dsm 17938 In W/O/W Emulsion: Influence Of Oil Type On Viability And Oxidative Stability, Nora Mohamed Alantali

Theses

Probiotics, known for their wide range of health benefits, have been gaining recognition on their effects on the gut-brain axis. This axis, operated via various pathways, can be modulated by the type and functions of probiotics found in the gut microflora. However, probiotics face several stress factors before reaching the gut which hinders them from being functional. The main objective of this thesis was to construct a stable double-emulsion-based delivery system for probiotics, which can act as a barrier against the harsh conditions of the digestive system. Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 was loaded in a water-in-oil-in-water Pickering double emulsion system, …

Which Offer Should I Take? The Impact Of Various Recruiting Factors On Accounting Students' Internship Choice, Matthew Hart, Joleen Kremin

Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study investigates factors in the recruiting process that influence accounting students’ choice of internship offers, especially when multiple internship offers are present. We surveyed 254 graduate students over several years after being recruited for busy season internships; 196 students received multiple offers and form our primary participant group. We find that students’ perceptions of seniors and staff personalities is the most influential factor during the recruiting process. Personality perceptions of other firm personnel, office visits, and internship location were also among the most influential factors in recruiting when students had to choose among multiple offers. We also find that, …

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter, May 2025, University Of Northern Iowa. Iowa Waste Reduction Center.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter

Contents:

--- Meet the Environmental Assistance Program Staff
--- IWRC Director Joe Bolick joins ISOSWO Board of Directors
--- Keeping Tabs on PFAS
--- IGBC Brewery wins gold
--- Farewell to Paige
--- Compost Operator Renewal Training
--- Industry News

Impact Of Classroom Environment On Bilingual Elementary School Students’ Learning, Denisse Mosqueda

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

There are many students who may not have a stable environment at home; therefore, it is important that schools provide an environment where students feel safe space at school to encourage learning. A safe learning environment fosters students' social, physical, and emotional development. When students feel safe, they are more engaged and take more intellectual risks in a healthy and supportive climate. This senior capstone research project examines the impact of classroom environment on the learning of bilingual elementary students. Through the use of literature review, anonymous surveys of students, and teacher interviews, the results indicated that, while a positive …

Privacy In The Age Of Platforms: How Digital Advancements Are Outrunning Our Constitution, Haleigh Fagundes

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project analyzes the procedural history of Fourth Amendment doctrine in the Supreme Court. This timeline begins with the 1928 case of Olmstead v. United States and proceeds with recent cases that resolve more modern concerns such as location tracking via cell-cite information, as seen in Carpenter v. United States (2018). Prevalent cases are analyzed through both majority and dissenting opinions to demonstrate the entire Courts’ attitude towards the interpretation. Though more recently the Court has moved towards expanding the expectation of privacy that one can assume from the Fourth Amendment, digital privacy has yet to be incorporated. The research …

Ready, Set, Thrive: Preparing Youth For Tomorrow, Denise Rios

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

In Monterey County, a significant amount of youth aged 14 to 24 face homelessness. The Epicenter addresses social inequities faced by Monterey County youth, such as the housing crisis, socioeconomic factors, lack of support, and the struggle of transitioning out of foster care. When creating this project, the voice of youth and their specific needs were deemed most important. “Ready, Set, Thrive” aimed to support the youth profile of The Epicenter by equipping them with essential life skills, knowledge, and resources needed for a stable, independent adulthood. This community-based intervention was done through two quantitative surveys and a workshop focused …

The Truth Behind Accessing Care For Underserved Populations, Patricia Daniela Vallejo Gomez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

A large number of patients are using the emergency department for non-urgent care. The Visiting Nurse Association, known as VNA & Hospice, offers services to residents in Monterey County through two major programs: hospice and home health. In partnership with Central California Alliance for Health (CCAH), VNA’s home health patients who meet the criteria for preventable emergency department visits are enrolled in the Enhanced Care Management (ECM) program to serve Monterey County residents facing challenges when trying to access healthcare services. The purpose of this project is to learn from patients based on their experiences. A quantitative survey was administered …

Improving Hospice Care Awareness In The Hispanic/Latino Community Of Monterey County, Dulce M. Cortez Cruz

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Montage Health is a nonprofit healthcare provider in Monterey County, offering many services, including the Hospice of the Central Coast. This hospice agency supports older adults and their families with end-of-life care. Although Monterey County has a large Hispanic/Latino population, only a small number use hospice services—mainly due to language barriers, lack of awareness, and insurance concerns. This project focuses on helping the Hispanic community learn more about hospice care through surveys and Spanish-language presentations in the future. The goal is to clarify misunderstandings and help more families feel comfortable using hospice when needed. By sharing information and building trust, …

Educational Empowerment: Building Connections Through Interventions, Melanie V. Partida

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project explores the intersection of substance use disorder (SUD) recovery and educational empowerment, focusing on the clients and peer supporters at Janus of Santa Cruz. The initiative developed an educational support model to enhance recovery through access to adult education, vocational training, and reliable study environments. Utilizing structured surveys, the project identified the educational barriers faced by peer supporters and clients, such as limited access to internet connectivity, mental health challenges, and a lack of awareness regarding local resources. In response, this project included the creation of a comprehensive educational resource directory and a Peer Mentorship Model, enabling …

Incorporating Science Into The Moderate/Severe Curriculum, Edgar Serrano

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Science education is often absent from the high school, moderate/severe special education classroom curriculum. When students in moderate/severe special education classrooms do not receive science instruction, they miss out on a key learning opportunity like the other curricular subjects and life skills. Increasing science education for students with disabilities may provide them with opportunities for critical thinking skills, problem solving, and creativity. In order to address this issue, I will create a three day lesson for 9 to 12 graders in a moderate/severe classroom setting at Soledad High School in Soledad, California.