Digital Commons Network^™

Predictors In Help-Seeking Intentions For Friends With Eating Disorders, Allie M. Robb

Honors Theses

Emotional intelligence is a significant factor in one’s well-being as high emotional intelligence predicts sound mental well-being and a better quality of life as one can accurately understand emotions (Kulkarni & Velhal, 2023). However, low emotional intelligence has also been found to be a predictor not only of the development of mental health disorders but also have the lowest intentions to seek help (Ciarrochi et. al., 2002; Kulkarni & Velhal, 2023). Because they are unlikely to seek help, it is important for others who see the potential cause to help intervene. The purpose of this study is to investigate the …

Examining Primary Teachers' Concerns, Self-Efficacy, Attitudes, Intentions, And Challenges Of Implementing Inclusive Pedagogy In English Literacy Classrooms For Bilingual Dyslexic Students In The Uae, Robin Ogdol, Jose Roan Adorna, Romee Capate, Aisha Alteneiji

All Works

The United Arab Emirates has embraced inclusive education across all academic levels since 2006. However, the degree of teacher acceptance of inclusive practice varies. This mixed-methods case study investigated 48 primary school teachers’ concerns, self-efficacy, attitudes, and intentions regarding inclusive pedagogy in English literacy for bilingual dyslexic students aged 5-11. It also identified challenges faced by teachers in mainstream classes. Using correlation analysis, results showed negative associations between teachers’ concerns and efficacy, attitudes, and intentions for inclusive practices. On the other hand, positive associations were found between teacher efficacy, attitude, and intentions for inclusive practices. Challenges included reconciling the bilingual …

Human Vs. Ai Counseling: College Students' Perspectives, Mohammad Amin Kuhail, Nazik Alturki, Justin Thomas, Amal K. Alkhalifa

All Works

Transitioning to college life while navigating the complexities of emerging adulthood can be stressful. In some instances, it may even lead to the onset of mental health problems or the exacerbation of existing issues. While therapeutic resources are typically available in tertiary educational contexts, social stigma may lead to service underutilization. Additionally, high student-to-therapist ratios can create bottlenecks to access when such services are sought. Offering an adjunct to traditional campus counseling services, AI chatbots can potentially address such issues. Chatbots can provide flexible, accessible, anonymous, and cost-effective first-line support, improving access and extending traditional treatment methodologies. This study evaluates …

Understanding The Equality Of Parties In Arbitration: A Case Comment On International Seaport Dredging Private Limited V Kamarajar Port Limited, Sahana Ramesh

National Law School Journal

While the Supreme Court of India has emphasised the equality of arbitrating parties in several decisions, the court often had to use various tools to assert this. It is a question of policy as to whether statutory undertakings—that perform public functions by entering commercial transactions—must be given preferential treatment in certain aspects of the dispute settlement process, including when they choose to challenge an arbitral award. This case comment considers the decision of the Supreme Court of India in International Seaport Dredging Private Limited v Kamarajar Port Limited to highlight the nuances involved in the court’s conclusion that all …

Reimagining Constitutional Institutions: Integrity, Efficiency, And Accountability (Justice Es Venkataramiah Centennial Memorial Lecture), Justice Ps Narasimha

National Law School Journal

In this 'Justice ES Venkataramiah Centennial Memorial Lecture' delivered at the National Law School of India University in 2024, Justice PS Narasimha lays down the importance of fourth branch institutions. He points to the constitutional history and framework that established them, lays down their evolution, and examines their role and functioning in the current context.

Identity And Inequality Misperceptions, Demographic Determinants And Efficacy Of Corrective Measures, K. Peren Arin, Deni Mazrekaj, Marcel Thum, Juan A. Lacomba, Francisco Lagos

All Works

By conducting two waves of large-scale surveys in the United Kingdom and Germany, we investigate the determinants of identity and inequality misperceptions. We first show that people substantially overestimate the share of immigrants, Muslims, people under the poverty line, and the income share of the richest. Moreover, women, lower-income, and lower-educated respondents generally have higher misperceptions. Only income share misperceptions are associated more with people who place themselves on the left of the political spectrum. In contrast, the other three misperceptions are more prevalent among those who place themselves to the right. We then attempt to correct misperceptions by conducting …

Regulatory Approaches To Consumer Protection In The Financial Sector And Beyond: Toward A Smart Disclosure Regime?, Nydia Remolina Leon, Yvonne Ai-Chi Loh, David R. Hardoon

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Traditionally, consumer and data protection policies evolved from issues of consent and information disclosure. The purpose of these regulatory approaches is the protection of consumers by reducing some contracting failures, such as asymmetries of information and a lower bargaining power, especially in transactions involving complex issues such as financial products and sensitive personal data. In the past, regulators have responded to privacy and consumer protection by adopting what this paper refers to as an “imperfectly informed regime”, in which consumers do not receive full information about the risks associated with their decisions, even if they are still protected through a …

Students' Perspectives On Co-Creation Opportunities Within Bachelor's, Master's, And Doctoral Level Education Preparation Programs, Oana M. Manta

Dissertations

This study examines Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral students’ experiences with co-creation activities in education programs. Responding to voiced student concerns, it seeks to uncover ways in which students wish to share ownership of the learning process. Additionally, this study aims to contribute students’ thoughts to the existing co-creation literature. Incorporating evidence from a survey and multiple participant interviews, this study demonstrates that students across all three levels of study wish to experience an increase in co-creation activities, but the type and extent vary by level of study. It argues for instructors and overseeing institutions to negotiate, not prescribe, certain aspects …

Effect Of Fathers In Preemie Prep For Parents (P3) Program On Couple’S Preterm Birth Preparedness, Mir A. Basir, Siobhan M. Mcdonnell, Ruta Brazauskas, U. Olivia Kim, Sheikh Iqbal Ahamed, Jennifer J. Mcintosh, Kris Pizur-Barnekow, Michael B. Pitt, Abbey Kruper, Steven R. Leuthner, Kathryn E. Flynn

Computer Science Faculty Research and Publications

Objective

Evaluate the effect of fathers’ participation in the Preemie Prep for Parents (P3) program on maternal learning and fathers’ preterm birth knowledge.

Methods

Mothers with preterm birth predisposing medical condition(s) enrolled with or without the baby’s father and were randomized to the P3 intervention (text-messages linking to animated videos) or control (patient education webpages). Parent Prematurity Knowledge Questionnaire assessed knowledge, including unmarried fathers’ legal neonatal decision-making ability.

Results

104 mothers reported living with the baby’s father; 50 participated with the father and 54 participated alone. In the P3 group, mothers participating with the father (n = 33) had greater …

The Lasting Psychological Effects Of Juvenile Arrests, Nadia Olivia Bortolin

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigated the enduring psychological consequences, specifically depression and anxiety, stemming from juvenile arrests and their influence on adulthood. Literature has demonstrated impacts on juvenile arrests from cultural, socioeconomic, family dynamics, and environmental elements. This study addresses a notable gap in understanding the long-term impact on mental health and employment. Research indicates a sensitivity to outcomes based on the age of arrest, with early adolescent arrests having profound effects on development and an increased likelihood of subsequent criminal activities. Developmental and risk factors, such as socioeconomic challenges and pubescent difficulties, contribute to persistent delinquent behaviors into adulthood. Some studies …

Utilizing Self-Management Strategies To Increase Staff Productivity In An Aba Clinic, Jasmine Margarita Hernandez-Morris

Theses and Dissertations

In Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), self-management is defined as an individual's behavior change strategies and tactics implemented to achieve a desired behavioral outcome. Both clinicians and researchers aim to develop and implement efficient self- management strategies that enhance staff performance, ultimately driving positive outcomes for the clients they serve. At this time, the research regarding the use of self- management strategies to increase staff fluency is limited. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of using self-management strategies to increase fluency in administering a verbal operant card set. Six staff members from an ABA clinic in Central Florida were recruited for …

Comparison Of Statistical And Machine Learning Genomic Prediction Methods In Plant Breeding: Case Studies In Maize And Soybean, Igor Kuivjogi Fernandes

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Plant breeding is essential to increase genetic gain and food production worldwide. This study was conducted to evaluate new ways to use machine learning (ML) to tackle plant breeding challenges, where two ideas were tested — the first chapter focuses on how to combine genetic and environmental data using ML to improve the prediction of maize grain yield in multi-environment trials, while the second chapter centers on how to couple feature selection of molecular markers with ML to enhance prediction of yield in soybean, and, in both cases, ML approaches were compared to well-established statistical methods greatly adopted by the …

Preventing Depression In Grandparents Raising Grandchildren: An Educational Video Series, Sabrina Casares

Student Capstone Papers

This paper presents a doctoral capstone project that created and implemented a self-help occupation-based educational video series to prevent and manage depression among grandparent caregivers. It consists of a literature review regarding the impact of depression on grandparent caregivers, the population’s barriers and statistics relating to the correlation of developing depression as a grandparent caregiver. It includes the process to create the video series including review of the literature and the development process. Texas Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (TXGRG) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources and support to empower and advocate for grandparent caregivers. Problem: There is a lack …

Molecular Pathways Of Odontogenic Keratocysts: A Systematic Review, Paolo Boffano, Francesca Neirotti, Matteo Brucoli, Muhammad Ruslin

Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Science

The odontogenic keratocyst (OKC) stands out as one of the most prevalent odontogenic tumors. Since its initial description, numerous studies have delved into various aspects of this lesion, aiming to unravel its distinctive biological behavior.

Recent investigations have specifically focused on the molecular aspects of OKC, shedding light on its biological characteristics. Substantial differences at the molecular level between OKC and other odontogenic cystic lesions indicate a distinct biological origin. Genetic and molecular research in the realm of odontogenic tumors, particularly OKC, has contributed significantly to the growing knowledge and understanding of their physiopathological pathways. The molecular findings may open …

The Effects Of Multiple Acute Turkesterone Doses On Indirect Measures Of Hypertrophy And Metabolic Measures: A Preliminary Investigation, Dillon R. Harris, Tomas Chapman-Lopez, Steven B. Machek, Jeffery S. Forsse, Tracey Sulak, Leslee K. Funderburk

Kinesiology Faculty Publications and Presentations

Turkesterone is a naturally occurring plant steroid touted for its medicinal, pharmacological, and biological properties with no reported adverse side effects compared with traditional anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS). However, this ostensible enhancement to increase muscle protein synthesis and facilitate augmented thermogenesis remains undescribed despite uninformed and potentially haphazard consumption. To investigate whether turkesterone enhances insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and resting metabolic rate (RMR), eleven apparently healthy males (23.3 ± 2.2) volunteered to participate in the present study with samples collected pre-, 3H post-, and 24H post-ingestion. Subsequent analyses failed to reveal any significant main condition, time, or interaction main effects …

Using Machine Learning To Predict Energy Consumption In Commercial Buildings In The Uae, Saif Nasser Aljasmi

Theses

The ever-growing demand for energy necessitates a shift towards efficient management practices. Buildings, responsible for a significant portion of global energy consumption, present a prime opportunity for optimization. Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) have emerged as a crucial tool in this endeavor, offering a comprehensive platform for monitoring and integrating various building systems. However, a key functionality within BEMS, energy consumption prediction, has faced limitations in accuracy. This stagnation hinders the full potential of BEMS for achieving optimal energy management strategies. Traditional methods for energy prediction often rely on historical data and lack the sophistication to capture the complex and …

Dealing With Divisiveness: Ignatian Principles For Better Relationships, Thomas G. Plante Phd, Abpp

Psychology

Interpersonal and intergroup relationships seem to have steadily deteriorated in recent years, with an increase in the lack of civility and decency along with a greater willingness to attack and cancel anyone who does not agree with one’s cherished perspective on numerous matters. New popular phrases such as cancel culture, public shaming, air rage, and gaslighting have entered the common vernacular. Ignatian spirituality offers several helpful strategies for dealing with these contemporary divisive conflicts in a productive manner. These include (1) seeing God (or the sacred) in all things, (2) striving towards kinship with others through the pathway of civility, …

Linking Human Resource Management Strategy To Organizational Performance: A Better Understanding Of High-Performance Work Practices In Higher Education, Laure Pou

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

A model of Human Resource Management (HRM) was presented by Guest (1987) as a new approach to management of personnel matters in which HRM strategy informs HRM practices, and both result in beneficial Human Resources (HR) outcomes, such as employee engagement. The notion underlying this model is that strategic HRM and related practices influence behavioral outcomes that positively impact performance outcomes for an organization. However, research to date has been inconclusive regarding how HRM systems or specific HRM practices are contributing to organizational performance (Paauwe, 2009). The intent of this study was to further examine the relationship between HRM practices …

Examining The Adoption Of Digital Transformation Initiatives In Higher Education Institutions: A Mixed-Methods Investigation Of Employee Perceptions And Decision-Making Processes, Donald Behneman

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Digital transformation refers to the strategic integration of innovative technologies, which include mobile devices, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, to name a few. These digital technologies weave into business processes to drastically enhance and ultimately improve the customer experience, optimize operational efficiency, or forge new revenue streams (Beach, 2021). This mixed-methods study investigated the dynamics of digital transformation in higher education from the perspective of information technology professionals. There were four primary research questions: • Research Question 1 (RQ1): Does one or more demographic factor predict an employee’s level of decision-making in higher education as it relates to digital transformation? …

Examining The Impact Of Changes In Sentencing Guidelines And Offender Demographics On Sentencing Of White Collar Offenders, Tayler Lovelace

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Using the most recent data compiled by the United States Sentencing Commission and conducted within the conceptual framework of the focal concerns perspective, the current study investigates the impact of offender characteristics, case characteristics, and legally relevant factors on the sentencing outcomes of defendants sentenced under §2B1.1 of the federal sentencing guidelines. Results shows that while gender had no discernable influence on the probability of incarceration or the length of sentence, other demographics of the offender (race/ethnicity, age, and level of education) all emerged as statistically significant. Evidence of jurisdictional variation in sentencing was also detected. Consistent with the goals …

Phantom Jam Sybil Attack In Connected Vehicular Networks, Ahmed Ali Elamin Mohamed

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Vehicular Ad-hoc Networks (VANETs) are vulnerable to Sybil attacks, mostly due to the lack of encryption in BSMs. In VANETs, multiple digital certificates (pseudonyms) are assigned to each vehicle to ensure their privacy. However, malicious nodes can exploit these pseudonyms to create ghost vehicles, inducing fake traffic jams and disturbance to other vehicles which may lead to accidents. In this work, we have developed the first sophisticated sybil attack, in which an attacker uses legitimate pseudonyms to create multiple ghost vehicles. These ghost vehicles transmit realistic kinematic data, using trajectory formulas and road maps. Additionally, the ghost vehicles randomly simulate …

Technical Report: Technical Support For Developing And Field Testing In Situ Bioassays In The Surface Mixing Layer Of Marine Waters At Oil Spill, G. A. Burton, A. Crane, B. Chadwick, G. Rosen, G. Stewart, S. Allan, O. Garcia-Pineda

Coastal Response Research Center

An in situ technology was developed to assess the toxicity of oil spills to aquatic organisms in the water column. This technology, named the Drifting Exposure and Effects Assessment Ring (DEEAR), is comprised of a bioassay tool known as the Sediment Ecotoxicity Assessment Ring (SEA Ring), mounted within a drifting drogue known as the Drifting Particle Simulator (DPS). The technology also includes a UV fluorometer that continuously senses oil fluorescence, as well as passive sampling devices that can be used to quantify average concentrations of oil-based compounds. The DEEAR system was tested in the field in 2019, after which refinements …

A105: Correlation Analysis Between Cognitive Style And Judgment Accuracy Of Tennis Umpires In Zhejiang Province, Kairui Cai, Wensheng He

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background/Purpose: The influence of cognitive style on decision-making in sports has always been a hot research direction in sports psychology. As the law enforcers in the stadium, the individual cognitive style of the umpire in the penalty will also affect the results of a game to an extent. This paper studied the accuracy of on-the-spot decision-making judgment of tennis umpires classified by field dependent-field independent cognitive style and provided a new idea and scientific method for the selection and cultivation of tennis umpires.

Methods/Design: In this experiment, literature method, experimental method, mathematical statistics, logical analysis method and other related research …

A143: Integrating Stakeholder Theory And Swot Analysis To Examine Covid-19 Outbreak Impact On Fitness Programs, Xinxin Li, Ran Ran

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Background/Purpose: The fitness industry has been an important segment in the sports-related global market (SFIA, 2020). The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupations Projection (2016-2026) indicated there would be an 18.70% annual occupational employment percentage increase in the need for athletic trainers (CareerOneStop, 2019). The U.S. 71394 Gym, Health & Fitness Clubs Report revealed a 1%–6% revenue increase each year since 2012. This projection indicated that the fitness market uptrend would continue in the next decade. However, the COVID-19 outbreak had a significant impact on the fitness market, and it was projected to have a 10% revenue decline in 2020 …

Biological Validation Of Peak-Width Of Skeletonized Mean Diffusivity As A Vcid Biomarker: The Markvcid Consortium, Alison M Luckey, Saptaparni Ghosh, Chen-Pin Wang, Alexa Beiser, Rebecca Bernal, Zhiguang Li, Djass Mbangdadji, Elyas Fadaee, Haykel Snoussi, Angel Gabriel Velarde Dediós, Hector A Trevino, Monica Goss, Laura J Hillmer, Christopher E Bauer, Adam M Staffaroni, Lara Stables, Marilyn Albert, Jayandra J Himali, Thomas H Mosley, Lars Forsberg, Vilmundur Guðnason, Baljeet Singh, Herpreet Singh, Kristin Schwab, Joel H Kramer, Gary A Rosenberg, Karl G Helmer, Steven M Greenberg, Mohamad Habes, Danny J J Wang, Brian T Gold, Hanzhang Lu, Arvind Caprihan, Myriam Fornage, Lenore J Launer, Konstantinos Arfanakis, Sudha Seshadri, Charles Decarli, Pauline Maillard, Claudia L Satizabal

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

BACKGROUND: Peak-width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD), a neuroimaging marker of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), has shown excellent instrumental properties. Here, we extend our work to perform a biological validation of PSMD.

METHODS: We included 396 participants from the Biomarkers for Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (MarkVCID-1) Consortium and three replication samples (Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology = 6172, Rush University Medical Center = 287, University of California Davis Alzheimer's Disease Research Center = 567). PSMD was derived from diffusion tensor imaging using an automated algorithm. We related PSMD to a composite measure …

Primary And Secondary Resonances Of Fringe Effect Electrostatically Actuated Mems Cantilever Resonators, Miguel Armando Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

The nonlinear dynamics of micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) cantilever resonators actuated by the fringe field at parametric and primary resonances are studied. Three models are used based on different descriptions of the system capacitance. In the fringe and capacitance models, the electrostatic force due to the parallel-plate capacitance is neglected due to a hole in the ground plate (removes overlapping area). The SolidWorks model is based on numerical capacitance simulations performed on SolidWorks using EMS. All three models that approximate the fringe field capacitance are compared with one another. The Method of Multiple Scales (MMS) and Reduced Order Model (ROM) up …

The Effects Of Livestock On Mosquito Diversity And Abundance In Hidalgo County, Taylor Nicole Moya

Theses and Dissertations

Mosquitoes are detrimental to animals and threaten humans. More information is needed on how farm animal presence may impact mosquito abundance and diversity at farms. My goal in this study is to determine if there is any correlation between animal abundance or diversity on a farm and the abundance and diversity of mosquitoes collected. Hidalgo County, Texas, has a subtropical desert climate, ideal for mosquitoes. I hypothesized that the mosquito abundance and diversity indices would increase as the livestock abundance or diversity increases. Adult mosquitoes were collected using two CO2-baited light traps per farm from Spring 2022 to Fall 2022. …

Structure Modifications And Alternative Monitoring Designs Of Wildlife Road Mitigation Structures, Madison T. Nadler

Theses and Dissertations

Wildlife mitigation structures are designed to keep animals off roadways while providing them safe passage to the other side and not impeding traffic flow. Camera traps are commonly used to assess the success of these mitigation structures, but there are downfalls to both the methods and structures. Alternative mitigation structure designs are needed to better prevent wildlife from accessing roadways in areas where they should be deterred. Additionally, traditional camera trapping methods do not accurately capture the full wildlife communities that may be utilizing these structures and other survey methods are needed, specifically aimed at small mammals, amphibians, and reptiles. …

Implementing Organic Fertilization Practices To Improve Aloe Vera Growth And Soil Health In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Isaiah Edward Jaramillo

Theses and Dissertations

Aloe vera (L.) (Aloe) Burm. f., is valued for its applications across the cosmetic, medicinal, and food industries due to its leaf gel. In the aloe industry, the extraction of gel from leaves generates significant quantities of organic waste, which presents an opportunity to repurpose this material as an amendment in aloe cultivation. While Aloe is renowned for its resilience, understanding the feasibility of using these organic shavings as a soil fertility amendment in aloe production is critical. This research aims to identify sustainable fertilization methods for Aloe that can maintain and/or improve crop yield while enhancing soil health. This …

Theoretical Insights And Analysis Into Luneburg Lens, Aram Flores

Theses and Dissertations

Advancements in wireless communications necessitate innovative antenna designs for radar systems and satellite communications. The Luneburg lens, theorized by Rudolf Luneburg in 1944, is a gradient-index lens capable of focusing electromagnetic waves onto a point on its surface, offering potential improvements in antenna gain and performance. Access to the lenses, courtesy of Assured Space Access Incorporated, enabled me to research the lenses response, and specific design details remain confidential. Practical assessments of 3D-printed Luneburg lenses of varying sizes are limited, including factors such as lens alignment and focal point offset. This study investigates the performance of 6-inch and 13.25-inch Luneburg …