Digital Commons Network^™

In-Silico Investigation Of Claudin-16 Self Assembly In Tight Junctions, Baqi Ozomata Atimah

Theses - ALL

Claudin-16 is a member of the Claudin family of proteins, which play a critical role in establishing paracellular permeability within tight junctions between cells. Claudin-16 exhibits diverse properties related to ion selectivity, tissue development, and barrier function. Depending on the context, claudins create channels that permit the passage of specific ions through the paracellular space or form barriers that restrict ion movement. This study focuses on the self-assembly of the human claudin-16 protein, which is essential for ion reabsorption and the proper functioning of the kidney. Molecular simulations were employed to investigate the interactions within dimerized claudin-16 and to elucidate …

Reds Risk In Physically Active Females And Inflammation: Is There A Correlation?, Julia Galindo Sebe

Theses - ALL

Background: Low Energy Availability (LEA) is a key factor in the Female Athlete Triad and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs), affecting performance, metabolism, and inflammation. Uric acid (UA), a byproduct of purine metabolism, has been proposed as a potential inflammatory marker. We hypothesize that EA will be inversely correlated with inflammation and that collegiate athletes will exhibit lower EA compared to recreational athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 51 physically active female college students (18–24 years), including 28 collegiate athletes. LEA risk was assessed using the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q), while energy availability (EA) …

Understanding The Spatial Characteristics Of Urban Morphology And Its Application, Md Sohel Rana

Theses - ALL

Rapid urbanization due to the population boom in urban areas changes the physical layout and structures of cities including buildings, streets, open spaces, and amenities, which are collectively defined as urban morphology. Microclimate dynamics of urban environments, such as airflow, heat retention, and pollution dispersion, are profoundly affected by urban morphology. Although the roles of urban morphology at small spatial scales (e.g., single buildings, building complexes, or buildings within a block) in microclimate dynamics have been extensively studied, the scale-up effect of buildings at the city scale on microclimate dynamics is still not fully understood. In this thesis, I examined …

Plio-Pleistocene Hydroclimate In Southern Africa: Insights From Proxy Records And Climate Models, Claire B. Rubbelke

Dissertations - ALL

In the recent decade, a number of extreme weather events have highlighted the vulnerability and unpreparedness of communities in Southern Africa (SA) to anthropogenic climate-change related weather events. Such occurrences are only expected to increase in frequency, however projections of the future mean state of hydroclimate in SA are uncertain; there is broad agreement of earth system models that Africa as a whole will become hotter and drier by 2100, however, projected changes to regional hydroclimate are ambiguous. Insights from past intervals of warm climates, like the Pliocene, or intervals of rapid climate change, like the Mid-Pleistocene Transition, can reveal …

Measurements And Modeling Of Phonon-Mediated Quasiparticle Poisoning In Superconducting Qubit Arrays, Eric Yelton

Dissertations - ALL

The realization of a quantum computer that can correct for random errors on its constituent quantum bits, or qubits, is one of the primary goals in the quantum information science community. One of the leading protocols to correct these errors on a quantum processor relies on nearest-neighbor coupling of an array of physical qubits that act collectively as a single logical qubit. Superconducting circuits are a leading implementation of a physical qubit and have been used in some of the first demonstrations of this error correction scheme. A key assumption of this protocol is that errors on the physical qubits …

Stranded In Transit: Migrants' Borderland Experiences En Route To Europe, Ibrahim Emre Yanik

Dissertations - ALL

This dissertation explores the lived experiences of migrants stranded in prolonged transit amid the intensifying securitization of the European border regime. While contemporary policy frameworks aim to deter unauthorized migration through externalized controls, digital surveillance, and restricted legal pathways, these measures have instead produced new forms of precarity, immobilization, and liminal existence. Focusing on Istanbul as a key site of transit and containment, the research examines how migrants navigate conditions of legal uncertainty, economic marginalization, and social isolation while resisting the structural constraints imposed upon them. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Istanbul—including semi-structured interviews and participant observation—this study adopts …

Body Size Trends Of Late Devonian Dacryoconarid Tentaculitoids And Protocol Development For I/Ca Analysis In Corals By La-Icp-Ms, Ashley Prow-Fleischer

Dissertations - ALL

Paleoclimatology provides context for understanding the timescales and animal responses to environmental change under modern climate change scenarios. The key drivers of climate variability are identified using proxies for environmental conditions. Biological archives are especially useful for linking changing conditions to ecosystem responses. This dissertation establishes the foundation for utilizing dacryoconarid microfossils as biostratigraphic indicators of environmental change in the Paleozoic. It also presents a protocol for measuring iodine-to-calcium (I/Ca) ratios—an established proxy for localized hypoxia—in coral skeletons using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Studying Paleozoic microfossils presents challenges due to the high degree of induration of …

Anticipating The Adoption Of Quantum Computing Technology By Organizations, Kenneth Shui

Dissertations - ALL

This study investigated the challenges that may influence the successful adoption of adiabatic quantum computers based on an analysis of three case studies of organizations that adopted technologies adjacent to adiabatic quantum computers. Through the lens of the affordance framework, a mixed methods approach identified common challenges and themes when adopting different forms of classical computing. The qualitative method involved analyzing pre-existing documentation on classical computing technologies through a reflexive narrative review of the case studies. For the quantitative aspect, an A/B testing approach was used to compare the performance of D-Wave adiabatic quantum computers in solving a well-established computer …

Elucidating Climate Dynamics From Holocene Reconstructions In Alaska, Greenland, And The North Atlantic, Briana Edgerton

Dissertations - ALL

Arctic amplification is a combination of ice-ocean-atmospheric feedbacks that causes the northern high latitudes to be extremely sensitive to climate change. These processes combined with anthropogenic warming are currently driving Arctic temperatures to increase at a rate almost four times faster than global average. However, it is unclear how current and future climate change in the Arctic compares to the natural variability of the climate system over longer timescales. The Holocene (11,700 years ago to present) provides abundant well-preserved, sub-millennial to centennial-scale records of climate, and encompasses periods of relatively rapid warming and cooling which can be compared to anthropogenic …

Deformations Of Thin Membranes In Incompatible Geometries And Interactions In Mechanical Hysteron Systems, Zachariah Schrecengost

Dissertations - ALL

Soft reconfigurable systems exhibit behaviors which are highly dependent on their geometries. Thin membranes can deform in a myriad of ways as they navigate geometries different from their own in an energy efficient manner. Behaviors in mechanical hysteron systems are influenced by the geometry of the interactions and global driving. This dissertation focuses on two different types of systems which are governed in part by their geometries: thin membranes in geometrically incompatible configurations and interacting mechanical hysterons. A thin membrane forced into a conflicting geometry with an incompatible metric will deform in highly non-trivial ways. These deformations are an attempt …

Managing Happiness In The Mexican Maquiladora Industry: A Turnover Management Challenge, Claudia M. Burgos Cruz, Reyna Virginia Barragan Quintero, Angel Contreras Cruz

Engineering and Technology Management Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study explores a turnover management case by implementing exploratory Human-Centered Design (HCD) strategies, combining a collaborative tool in a Mexican maquiladora in Tecate, Baja California. To reduce turnover, the tool was designed, prototyped, and tested to foster the emotional well-being of employees, enhance employee engagement, and promote a sense of belonging in the workplace. The company leaders and managers were trained to use the HCD prototypes, such as the Happiness Dashboard, a visual feedback system using emojis to collect data during regular shifts, and the Gemba Walks, a method for collecting information through observing and interacting with workers. Organizational …

Essential Knowledge For Serving Bilingual Youth: The Perspectives Of Adult Former English Learners, Maneka Deanna Brooks

Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

This study, framed by dignity-focused language policy and intersectional anti-adultism, investigates how 74 adults misclassified as English learners (ELs) during U.S. K-12 education conceptualize essential knowledge for educating bilingual students. Through semi-structured interviews, participants stressed two key areas for schools that serve bilingual students: recognizing students’ nuanced linguistic histories and acknowledging students as education partners. The findings emphasize centering impacted individuals’ perspectives, advocating for eliminating racial bias in EL policy implementation, and addressing institutionalized adultism in EL policy. Implications include the need for professional learning, policy, and practices prioritizing EL youths’ perspectives.

Effects Of Goat Grazing On Small Mammal Populations, Jordan F. Smith

Science Symposium

Many methods have evolved over the years to attempt to manage invasive Rhamnus cathartica or buckthorn populations. Goat grazing has been shown to be effective at reducing R. cathartica stems, as well as allowing low amounts of viable seeds to pass through goat digestive tracts. Due to small mammal’s prevalence and ecological niche, they are a popular subject for population studies because they can be an indicator of ecological health. This study examined whether or not there was a difference in small mammal populations between a control plot and an experimental plot grazed by goats. Trapping data from 10 days …

Volume 2 Complete Issue, James W. Gallagher

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 2 Complete Issue

On The Perils Of Perceiving Perception, James E. Landing

The Geographical Bulletin

The emergence of man's perception of his environment within the discipline of geography as a suitable topic of pursuit is a most wholesome development. The recently articulated views of Saarinen through the publications of the Commission on College Geography provide an admirable springboard for those interested in pursuing the topic and obtaining an overview of what has already been pursued.' But geography teachers have, for years, been intuitively doing the same thing by discovering through their classroom contacts the correct and incorrect perceptions of students and teaching concepts based upon this knowledge. Although few of these have been conducted as …

Ultrasound-Guided Sciatic And Femoral Nerve Block For Perioperative Pain Management In A Thai Crossbreed Dog Undergoing Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (Tplo): A Case Report, Wutti Bunjerdsuwan, Sirirat Niyom

The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

This case report presents the use of ultrasound-guided sciatic and femoral nerve blocks as an alternative analgesic technique for perioperative pain control in a Thai crossbreed dog undergoing left tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). The orthopedic examination revealed a 4/5 left hindlimb lameness score, with positive results on both the tibial compression test (TCT) and cranial drawer test (CDT). Radiographic evaluation showed the absence of a fat pad sign and osteophyte formation around the left stifle joint. A definitive diagnosis of left cranial cruciate ligament rupture (CCLR) was made. The dog underwent CCLR correction via TPLO, with perioperative pain managed …

Retracted: Enhancing Project Tracking Through Microsoft Power Platform Automation: A Case-Based Study Using Power Bi, Pirsab R. Attar, Quadri Ibad Ali, Arif Varsi, Khalid Sayed, Sameer Usmangani Sayyad

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

Microsoft Power BI and Power Automate enhances project tracking by improving data accuracy, reducing manual effort, and delivering timely insights. The automation-driven approach leads to significant time savings and fewer reporting errors, contributing to more efficient and informed project management. Despite the availability of digital tools, there is limited research on unified frameworks that combine automation, data visualization, and real-time feedback for holistic project management. This study addresses this gap by evaluating an integrated system applied to a real-world project over one fiscal year, offering practical insights and measurable outcomes. Present study explores how Power BI enhances data accuracy and …

Navigating Structural Behaviors To Education: A Qualitative Analysis Of Attendance, Behavior, And Academic Outcomes Among African American Scholars In Grades K-5, Tony E. Howard

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

This qualitative study explores the structural behaviors within public K-5 education that affect African American students' attendance, behavior, and academic outcomes. With a persistent achievement gap disproportionately affecting African American learners, the research investigates how systemic inequities and institutional practices hinder equitable access to quality education. Using a phenomenological approach, the study draws on the lived experiences of educators, administrators, and support staff across several school districts to understand the nuanced challenges African American students face.

Data collection involved semi-structured interviews and document analysis, yielding rich insights into how disciplinary policies, culturally unresponsive teaching practices, and inadequate support services contribute …

Science Of Reading Professional Development: The Perceptions Of Secondary Teachers In Arkansas, Teresa R. Moka

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

ABSTRACT SCIENCE OF READING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: THE PERCEPTIONS OF SECONDARY TEACHERS IN ARKANSAS

Teresa R. Moka

The study addresses the critical issue of low literacy proficiency among secondary students in Arkansas, where National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data reveals declining reading scores. Despite scientific consensus on reading instruction, many teachers lack professional development in evidence-based reading strategies, particularly at the secondary level. Although Arkansas secondary teachers have received initial Science of Reading (SoR) professional development from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), the perceptions of secondary teachers regarding SoR professional development is not well documented. The purpose …

Online Multimedia Education Effect On Breast Health Knowledge And Self-Efficacy, Brooke D. Hancock, Elizabeth Frankle, Jennifer Cera, Leeza Struwe, Mackenzie Koch

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Objective: To evaluate comprehension and retention of breast health and BSE by providing evidence-based education via a website. The researchers aimed to measure knowledge of breast health, self-efficacy of performing breast health promotion, and usability of the interventional website.

Design: A single group efficacy trial was used.

Setting: The study was conducted in two outpatient clinics in Nebraska that provided well women health care.

Participants: A convenience sample of 100 women were enrolled

Methods: Breast health knowledge was assessed with the Breast Health Assessment (BHA) and consisted of 3 subscales. The Champions Health Belief Model Scale (CHBM) assessed BSE self-efficacy …

Implementation Of An Adolescent Women’S Health And Wellness Education Program, Lauren Acker, Laynee Conner, Jennifer Cera

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Objectives: The goal of this research study was to provide scientific evidence supporting the importance and effectiveness of implementing a women’s health and wellness education course and its effect on (1) adolescent knowledge of sexual health and hygiene, (2) self-efficacy in menstrual management, and (3) self-empowerment in managing their own reproductive health.

Design: This was a mixed methods pilot study utilizing a pre/post-test single intervention efficacy trial. Quantitative and qualitative data were obtained.

Setting: The setting included two different sites including one outpatient ambulatory obstetrics/gynecology clinic and one community outreach center. Both sites were located within a midwestern metropolitan …

Rays Of Resilience:Tbri® Nurture Group© Intervention For Improved Social-Emotional Development In Head Start, Madison Carlson

Occupational Therapy Capstone Presentations

Children exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) face challenges that impact their developmental trajectory, family dynamics, and occupational engagement (CDC, 2021a). Rays of Resilience is a trauma-informed occupational therapy capstone project designed to enhance social-emotional skills in preschoolers at a rural Head Start program guided by the TBRI® framework and the Person-Environment-Occupation (PEO) model. Using Nurture Group© small group intervention, collaboration with staff, and engagement with caregivers, this project targeted social-emotional development and relationship building in children with a higher risk of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Fifteen students participated in weekly lessons focused on self-regulation, identifying emotions, and communicating wants …

A Framework For Establishing An Automated Traffic Violation Detection System In New Assiut City Using Ordinary Cctv Units, Mahmoud Owais, Ali Shehata, Abdou Shaband, Ghada S. Moussa

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Violating traffic rules in transport networks is a genuine concern for operators as it is one of the most important causes of fatal accidents. With the increasing number of residents in the new cities in the Arab Republic of Egypt, and the incompleteness of the transportation system in those cities, including traffic signs, light signals, and control points, the possibility of committing such violations increases. The study aims to propose the framework for establishing an intelligent monitoring system in the new city of Assiut consisting of high-resolution cameras optimally distributed on the traffic network points in the city. They will …

Digital Eye Strain In College Students: The Impact Of Academic Majors And Study Habits On Visual Health, Jennica L. Pitts

Honors Thesis

Digital eye strain (DES) has recently grown to become a significant concern among the college student community, particularly with the increased reliance on electronic and screen-based devices for academic and recreational purposes. This study aims to explore potential correlations between a university student's academic major, study habits, and screen-based behaviors, as well as any symptoms they may experience digital eye strain (as well as any other potential contributing factors) In total 81 college students chose to participate in an online survey (through Qualatrics) which assessed their academic majors, GPA, status in the honors program, screen usage, DES symptoms experienced, any …

A Case Study Of Ungrading On Student Learning In Higher Education, Brooke M. Creviston

Honors Thesis

This qualitative case study investigates the impact of ungrading in higher education at University A (pseudonym). The participants included seven students and three professors actively involved in ungraded courses. Positive outcomes are reported by both students and professors. Student participants felt that ungrading offered them more ownership in learning and less fear of making mistakes because they could apply feedback to improve their work rather than simply receiving numeric scores. The interviewed professors shared that ungrading allowed them to hold meaningful conversations with their students and helped them develop intrinsic motivation with academic material. Overall, in comparison to traditionally graded …

Integration Of Hydrological Simulations Into The Design Process To Assess The Performance Of Green Infrastructure Designs, Clara Jimenez

Design Research

With the growing threat of flooding in coastal and inland communities, it is necessary to migrate nature-based solutions such as green infrastructure. However, one of the challenges that designers face with this strategy lies in the design phase where it is difficult to quantify the performance with traditional design tools. Thus, there is an incentive to incorporate hydrological models within GIS to aid designers in quantifying performance. The goal of this research is to demonstrate that hydrological simulations can be used as a design tool for designers–such as landscape architects & architects– to analyze the feasibility of green infrastructure designs …

Functional Electrical Stimulation For Foot Drop: A Narrative Review, Garrett R. Watson

Honors Thesis

Foot drop (FD) is a neuromuscular impairment that limits ankle dorsiflexion during walking. It often leads to unsafe gait patterns, increases the risk of falls, and reduces independence. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has emerged as a promising rehabilitation tool that activates muscles or nerves to improve foot clearance and support motor recovery. Unlike passive devices such as ankle-foot orthoses, FES promotes active neuromuscular engagement and may foster long-term improvements through neuroplastic adaptation. This narrative review examines the causes and clinical consequences of FD and evaluates the role of FES in restoring functional mobility. Key topics include FES technologies, stimulation parameters, …

Program Evaluation Of The Behavioral Interventions Monitoring Assessment System-2 For High School Students In Rural Nebraska, Laura Burnett, Lakin Braman

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Behavioral and mental health issues among adolescents in rural areas often go unrecognized due to limited access to screening and intervention. This study evaluated the efficacy of the BIMAS- 2 tool in identifying at-risk high school students in a rural Nebraska high school. Methods: A retrospective cohort program evaluation was conducted over two years with 263 students in grades 9-12. The BIMAS-2 assessment was administered electronically each semester, followed by in-person mental health interviews. Descriptive statistics and Pearson chi-square tests assessed the tool’s sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value. Results: The BIMAS-2 demonstrated high sensitivity (100%) and specificity (96.15%), with a …

Enhancing Nurse Confidence In Labor Pain Management And Respectful Maternity Care Through Implementation Of The Coping With Labor Algorithm, Diane Johnson, Amy Murlowski

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Objective: The objective of this project was to implement the Coping with Labor Algorithm in the labor and delivery setting and study its impact on nurse self-efficacy and on birthing persons’ experiences.

Design: A quasi-experimental pre- and post-design was used for this project.

Setting: The project was conducted in a maternity unit with six labor beds located in the Midwest.

Methods: This project was conducted over twelve weeks. Twenty-five registered nurses were provided in-person education, access to educational materials, and training on how to use the Coping with Labor Algorithm. A pre-test was administered before the unit implementation of the …

An Extension Of A Break-To-Choice Intervention With Isolated Contingency Tests For Children With Multiply Maintained Challenging Behavior, Mckenna E. Herbek

Theses & Dissertations

Research on functional communication training has shown it to be a highly effective treatment for socially maintained challenging behavior. Challenging behavior multiply maintained by social variables is often addressed with isolated treatments for each function. While this approach has been shown to be efficacious, it may be more time-consuming and less efficient. A more efficient option may be to synthesize the isolated treatments. One such approach, break-to-choice, utilizes a chained schedule of reinforcement that allows the individual to request a break, followed by the selection (choice) of a functional reinforcer to consume. Although this procedure has been shown to be …