Digital Commons Network^™

Gravitational Perturbations And Quantum Field Interactions In Modified Spacetime Backgrounds, Abhishek Rout

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a study of gravitational perturbations and quantum field dynamics in modified spacetime backgrounds. The research is motivated by the quest to understand how quantum fields behave in curved spacetimes, particularly when extensions to general relativity, such as Chern--Simons modifications, are introduced.

The first part examines quantum field interactions with oscillating solitonic backgrounds, inspired by breather-type solutions of the sine--Gordon equation. Fermion bound states are shown to undergo destabilization due to the oscillatory background, leading to particle production and flux propagation to infinity. These results highlight the challenges of maintaining localized fermionic states in time-dependent topological backgrounds.

The …

Unlocking The Power Of Connection: Engagement And Communication With Limited/ Non English Language Families, Melinda Hope Burnette

Theses and Dissertations

Family engagement can positively impact a student’s academic performance, attendance, literacy, and behavior at school (Bachman et al., 2021; Garbacz et al., 2018; Houri et al., 2019; Karge & Lansky, 2011; Robinson et al., 2022). However, there are several barriers to school-family communication, including additional responsibilities outside the school setting and socioeconomic factors. Parents and families who have limited/no English literacy skills face additional barriers to participation because of the lack of language support from schools in communicating events, providing access to language support at events, and parent perceptions of school acceptance (Arellanes et al., 2023; Perrigo et al., 2022; …

Supporting School Administrators’ Knowledge Of The Idea: What Do They Know And What Do They Think, Rachel Renae Garrison

Theses and Dissertations

School level administrators play a critical role in the implementation of obligations set forth by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in their schools. To implement these obligations administrators, need to know and understand the IDEA. Researchers have shown that administrators often graduate from their principal preparation programs with little to no instruction in special education law, often leaving them feeling unprepared. The research that has been done into administrator knowledge of the IDEA has shown mixed results in levels of knowledge across different areas. Researchers have also found inconsistencies in administrators’ reported perceptions of their knowledge when compared …

The Role Of Language Ideologies In Saudi Elementary English Education: Efl Teacher’S Perspectives And Experiences, Ghanem Saad S Alghuwainem

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines how Saudi elementary English teachers understand and enact language ideologies in a period of rapid educational change and national reform. Using a comparative case study of five teachers in Al-Ahsa, the study triangulates semi-structured interviews, classroom audio recordings, and teaching materials to compare stated beliefs with observable practice. The analysis is guided by the theories of English hegemony and language and gender ideology, which together illuminate how global linguistic hierarchies are localized through teachers’ beliefs and practices. Findings reveal that teachers occupy an ideologically complex position as they balance the national push for English proficiency under Vision …

A Case Study Of A University Induction Program: Coaching Early Career Teachers, William Roy Blakeney Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract This is collective case study focuses on coaches working in a university-based induction program that supports early career teachers during their first three years of teaching. Interviews were conducted over a fall semester to document coaches’ perspectives on the critical incidents encountered by their coachees and the strategies they used to support resolution. New teacher attrition rates have contributed to a shortage of qualified teachers in the targeted schools and districts. This study was designed to explore a program that has yielded three-year teacher retention rates of over 90 percent for the past seven years. Six university induction program …

Too Much Of A Good Thing? Can Students Be Too Behaviorally Engaged, Rosemary Louise Odem

Theses and Dissertations

Student engagement in school is a key determinant of students’ academic success. Student engagement is commonly conceptualized as a meta construct comprised of three dimensions: emotional, cognitive, and behavioral engagement (Fredricks, 2015). Behavioral engagement, the focus of this study, is defined by positive conduct, involvement in learning and academic tasks, and participation in school-related activities (Fredricks et al., 2004). Some researchers have suggested that psychological strengths, like engagement, can be overused and result in maladaptive consequences (Niemiec, 2019; Oishi et al., 2007). This study addressed this notion using archival data from a sample of 422 students from one Southeastern US …

A Qualitative Study Exploring Teachers’ Beliefs And Practices Supporting African American Male Readers, Rhonda Douglas Sumter

Theses and Dissertations

Despite decades of educational reform, African American male students continue to experience persistent disparities in reading achievement. This qualitative case study explores the beliefs and pedagogical practices of three elementary educators identified as effective in supporting the reading development of African American males. Drawing on the frameworks of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy (Ladson-Billings, 1995) and Critical Race Theory (Delgado & Stefancic, 2012), the study seeks to illuminate how educators affirm students’ identities, maintain rigorous expectations, and create responsive learning environments that foster academic success.

Data sources included in-depth teacher interviews and classroom observations. Thematic analysis revealed three interconnected practices across cases: …

Creating Meaningful And Relevant Professional Development Using Improvement Science, Jo R. Wright

Theses and Dissertations

The problem of practice focuses on how to improve professional development. Using improvement science, a team of individuals at the school engaged in problem solving techniques to discover the underlying root causes of the problem. The improvement team was composed of administrators, instructional coaches, and teacher leaders who worked in different areas of the school. Collectively, these individuals felt passionately about growing the staff members through effective professional development. Exploring the professional development sessions teachers were attending on campus, there were visible indicators that teachers were not engaged nor were they participating. Unpacking the issue further, the improvement team uncovered …

Strategies For Developing Mathematical Identities In Middle School Students, Margaret M. Stevens

Theses and Dissertations

This concurrent mixed-methods action research study investigated the impact of mathematical discourse intervention on seventh-grade students’ mathematical identities and understanding. Twenty students participated in a four-week intervention implementing Smith and Stein’s (2018) five practices plus one framework.

Quantitative results showed curriculum-based assessments improved significantly (p < .001, d = 1.64). State mathematics assessment revealed minimal change in mean scores. The Mathematical Identity Questionnaire revealed positive shifts across all five constructs, with largest gains in Mathematical Initiative (+0.40) and Problem-Solving Persistence (+0.30). Qualitative analysis using Bingham’s (2023) five-phase process revealed three themes: Mathematical Voice Development, Identity Transformation Through Competence Building, and Communal Validation. Social Cognitive Theory and Culturally Relevant Pedagogy integration showed how discourse interventions addressed both individual self-efficacy and systemic inequities. Findings suggest intensive discourse intervention can initiate positive changes in mathematical identity and understanding for struggling students. Implications include restructuring mathematics instruction to prioritize student discourse and voice, creating more equitable learning environments.

Influence Of Channel Geometry And Inflow Hydrograph On Hydraulics And Air Volume Around Shafts Of A Stormwater Main, Lylie Vindie Wilkie

Theses and Dissertations

Stormwater management in urban areas is complex, in part because of difficulties related to modeling water flowing in closed conduits, as well as to controlling odor, noise, and pipe corrosion. This thesis summarizes the main findings of a study on how changes in inflow discharge and the geometry of a stormwater main may affect water flow, and how changes in water depth impact air volume and pressure around an air shaft. The study is conducted using CHAN, a one-dimensional model that simulates both flow hydraulics in mains and associated changes in air volume and pressure around air shafts. Main difference …

Erosion Of Bermuda Grass Covered Soils, Oru-Ntui Johnwatters Nkiri

Theses and Dissertations

Earthen embankments are the most common type of embankment due to the relatively low cost, simplicity, and material availability. However, they are also the most prone to erosion related failure, typically due to overtopping and piping. Research has been conducted to identify ways to control soil erosion and protect earthen embankments with different approaches such as addition of chemicals and biopolymer to the soil, installation of protective layering (geotextiles, concrete), increased soil compaction, and use of vegetation. This thesis considers the use of Bermuda Grass to increase resistance to erosion and protect embankments from failure during overtopping. Grass coverage and …

Multiscale Geometric Analysis In Endovascular Therapies: Ex Vivo, In Silico Approaches, Dima Hussein Ali Bani Hani

Theses and Dissertations

In this work, we address a persistent global challenge of vascular disease, specifically peripheral artery disease (PAD), and arteriovenous fistula (AVF) complications in patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). The important role of vascular geometry in disease intervention plans and the development of endovascular therapeutic strategies (e.g., Drug-coated balloon (DCBs)) is critical in addressing these challenges.

This study evaluates the feasibility of co-delivery of paclitaxel (PTX) and valsartan (VAL) using urea-based coatings in DCB, analyzes the coating morphology and microstructural changes to improve therapeutic results. A computational finite element model was developed to complement experimental work, simulate tissue-coating interactions, compute …

Gut Microbiome Dynamics In Heart Failure And The Therapeutic Potential Of Nmeg-Cgrp, Kamryn Michael Gleason

Theses and Dissertations

Heart failure (HF) is increasingly recognized as a multisystem disease often linked to gut dysbiosis; however, its specific effects on gut microbial composition remain poorly understood. This study examined long-term changes in the gut microbiome in a murine HF model induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) and evaluated the effects of NMEG-CGRP. TAC mimics pressure overload-induced cardiac dysfunction, replicating key features of HF. CGRP, a neuropeptide with vasodilatory and cardioprotective effects, shows potential as a therapy for HF but is limited by rapid degradation. A stabilized analog, NMEG-CGRP, was used to assess its impact on cardiac and gastrointestinal health. Mice …

Determination Of Tensile Strength Distribution Of Single Carbon Fibers At Microscale Gagelengths, Karan Deepak Shah

Theses and Dissertations

High performance carbon fibers are widely used as reinforcements in composite material systems for aerospace, automotive, and defense applications. The tensile strength of commercial fibers is significantly less than its theoretical limits. The composite systems are often overdesigned, thus any increase in the fiber tensile strength can yield significant cost and weight savings. Modification of fiber surface treatment (sizing) during manufacturing is a potential route to enhance fiber strength. Single fiber tensile testing at millimeter-scale is typically used to characterize the effect of sizing on the fiber strength. However, the longitudinal tensile failure of a composite system is a result …

Parental Attitudes And Expectations Regarding Piano Study For Their Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Lin Zhong

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates parental attitudes and expectations regarding piano study for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Although music has been recognized for its therapeutic and educational benefits among individuals with ASD, research examining these outcomes from the perspective of parents has been limited. This study focuses on in-depth interviews with nine parents of children with ASD enrolled in the Carolina LifeSong Initiative, a specialized piano program serving students with diverse developmental disorders.

The interviews explored parents’ motivations for initiating piano study, expectations for both musical and non-musical outcomes, and observations of their children’s growth and challenges through music. Parents reported …

Multiphysics Modeling, Analysis, And Design Of Ceramic Hollow Fiber Membranes For Oxygen Separation, Hamed Abdolahimansoorkhani

Theses and Dissertations

Oxygen plays a central role in numerous industrial processes. Several technologies have been reported for producing oxygen from air. Among them, oxygen transport membrane (OTM) technology—based on mixed-conducting, gas-tight ceramic membranes—has attracted significant attention due to its high oxygen selectivity, relatively low capital and operating costs, and versatility for both ex-situ and in-situ applications. Mathematical modeling of OTMs offers a powerful tool to investigate internal multi-physics transport phenomena, providing deeper insight into fundamental mechanisms while serving as a cost-effective approach for optimizing membrane stack designs.

After a comprehensive introduction, in the first part of this dissertation (chapter 2), a comprehensive …

Cold Spray On Fiber Reinforced Polymer Substrates For Composite Repair And Tooling Applications, Patrick Allen Bailey

Theses and Dissertations

Cold Spray technology was first developed in the 1980’s and is an additive manufacturing and repair technique. It works by heating a pressurized carrier gas upwards of 600 °C and inserting metal particles downstream such that when they impact a substrate, the energy transformation causes plastic deformation of the particles. This thesis presents a use case for metal and polymer CS powder on fiber reinforced and fused filament fabrication polymer substrates. The state of the art for CS discusses the most up-to-date research within the field, and where new investigations are required. This research investigates the required process parameters to …

Evaluating The Performance And Feasibility Of A Device-Agnostic Approach To Compare Raw Accelerometry And Hr Data From Consumer Wearables To Research Grade Devices In Young Adults, Candy Bryan Mrudula Yalla

Theses and Dissertations

INTRODUCTION: Wearable technologies are increasingly used to monitor physical activity and heart rate in both research and everyday settings. This study aimed to compare accelerometery and heart rate (HR) data from two consumer wearables Apple Watch Series 7 and Google Pixel Watch Series 2, with research-grade devices: the ActiGraph GT9X Link and ActiHeart 5.

METHODS: Twenty-four young adults aged 18–24 years (mean age = 22.4; 54.2% female) participated in a 90-minute activity protocol while wearing the devices. The protocol included structured tasks ranging from rest to vigorous intensity. Consumer wearables and ActiGraph were worn on the non-dominant wrist, and the …

The Role Of Fibroblast Activation Protein On Left Ventricular Growth And Extracellular Matrix Remodeling As A Function Of Age And Pressure Overload, Amelia Marie Churillo

Theses and Dissertations

Fibroblast activation protein (FAP) is abundantly expressed in cancer associated fibroblasts and contributes to extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Recent studies using imaging techniques have identified increased levels of FAP in the left ventricle (LV) of patients identified as at risk for developing heart failure. However, the role of FAP in regulated LV myocardial structure and function remains unclear. This project tested two hypotheses: First, genetic ablation of FAP would modify LV structure and function and be more pronounced with aging. Second, genetic ablation of FAP would modify LV structure and function with LV pressure overload (LVPO) accompanied by ECM remodeling.

Computational Analogies In The Era Of Large Language Models, Amarakoon Mudiyanselage Thilini Wijesiriwardene

Theses and Dissertations

Analogical reasoning is an important part of human cognition requiring the integration of abstract reasoning, pattern recognition, and background knowledge. Despite significant advances in language modeling, the capacity of current methods to accurately identify, model, and evaluate analogies remains fundamentally underexplored.

Analogies enable individuals to perceive deep similarities between superficially different situations. Effective analogy-making requires integrating knowledge about the external world with abstract reasoning and pattern recognition capabilities. While current language models (LMs), trained on massive textual corpora using autoregressive or masked objectives, achieve impressive performance across Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks such as text generation, summarization, and classification, their …

Fue Evocations: A Culturally-Informed Performance Guide To Approaching Works For The Western Concert Flute Inspired By Traditional Japanese Flutes, Chase Michael Ketron

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this document is to create a culturally-informed and aesthetically accurate performance preparation guide for Western concert flute players seeking to perform works inspired by traditional Japanese flutes, or fue, such as the shakuhachi and nohkan.¹ While many pieces like these exist, there are limited resources detailing how to emulate the traditional Japanese flutes and their performance practices. The composers of these works often do well to provide notation for producing the specific sounds or effects they are trying to replicate, but these are non-standardized and thus vary from composer to composer. In addition, the traditional …

Supporting Adult Language Learners Through Interactive Routines And Trauma-Informed Engagement, Andrew J. Francis

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

Francis, A. (2025) Supporting Adult Language Learners Through Interactive Routines and Trauma-Informed Engagement

This capstone project investigates the impact of trauma-informed routines on reducing anxiety and enhancing relationships within adult English language classrooms, with a particular focus on refugee learners who frequently experience elevated stress responses that can impede both their participation and cognitive processing. Drawing on neuroscientific research that illustrates how trauma affects memory, emotional regulation, and executive functioning, the research highlights the importance of an instructional approach that emphasizes psychological safety, predictability, and supportive relationships as essential components of effective language learning. Utilizing frameworks from trauma-informed education, this …

Advocating For Social Justice In 4th Grade Ela Curriculum And Standards: Culturally Responsive Fidelity Frameworks For Leadership And Educators, Sélah F. Mcclain

School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects

This Capstone Project examines how the alignment of Minnesota English Language Arts standards and curriculum merged with a culturally responsive teaching fidelity framework will influence student engagement, academic rigor, and intentional academic discourse among Black fourth-grade scholars in an urban learning community. It is grounded in Ladson-Billings’(1995) and (2009) culturally relevant pedagogy, Hammond’s (2021) culturally responsive teaching with connection to the science of learning and development, as well as Falk and Blumenreich’s (2005) theory regarding cognitive constructivism. This research explores the role of leadership and educators in the implementation of culturally responsive pedagogy with fidelity to create coherence between standards, …

Unleashing The Research Superpowers Of Ap Students, Lindsey Douglas, Suzanne Rook Schilf, Camille Cooper, Jennifer Groff

Presentations

No abstract provided.

Legal Guide For New Hampshire Agricultural Producers, Updated 2025, Seth Wilner

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Strengthening Connections: Downtowns & Trails In Barrington, Nh, Shannon Rogers Ph.D., Nathaniel B. Bernitz, Patricia Prescott

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

A Dialetical Materialist Reading Of Language And Ideology In The Metamorphosis, Sidhanth Sethi

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

In this paper I use a dialectical materialist conception of ideology to analyze how it functions through language in Franz Kafka’s story The Metamorphosis. Beginning with Hegel’s account of consciousness as constituted through contradiction and its material reorientation in Marx and Engels, this project situates ideology within the social relations that shape human life. I then employ Evald Ilyenkov’s conception of material generation and Valentin Volosinov’s semiotic theory, arguing that signs constitute the material medium through which ideological meaning is produced and through which consciousness learns to misrecognize its own conditions. Using this framework, I interpret Gregor Samsa’s transformation as …

Accuracy Of Femoral Head Center Reconstruction Using A Straight Cementless Rectangular Stem: An In-Silico Study Comparing Elderly And Middle-Aged Patients, Hidde D Veldman, Ide C Heyligers, Philip C Noble, Tim A E J Boymans

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Accurate reconstruction of the femoral head center (FHC) is essential for restoring hip biomechanics in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Previously described age-related morphological changes-such as canal widening and a mediocaudal FHC shift-may complicate anatomical reconstruction in all age-categories using a single non-modular cementless stem. This study assessed the capacity of such implant to achieve adequate FHC reconstruction across age groups and sexes.

Methods: Virtual implantation of a non-modular cementless stem (SL-PLUS™) was performed in CT-based 3D reconstructions of 148 femora from middle-aged (< 80 years) and very elderly (≥80 years) subjects. For each case, the optimal implant size, type (standard or lateral), and modular head (-4 mm, 0 mm or +4 mm) were selected. FHC deviation was measured in three dimensions; reconstructions were considered adequate if < 5 mm in all directions.

Results: Overall, 92.4 % of reconstructions were considered adequate. No significant differences in reconstruction accuracy could …

Sinclair Lewis Society Newsletter, Vol 34, No. 1, The Sinclair Lewis Society

Sinclair Lewis Society Newsletter

“Every Time Something Big and Stupid Happens in America, Lewis Becomes Popular Again”: A Conference Retrospective, with Notes from a First-Time Visitor to Sauk Centre by Shaun F. Richards

Pickerbaugh’s Rhymes: Another Target of Satire in Arrowsmith by George Killough

In Memoriam: Robert E. Fleming, Father of the Sinclair Lewis Society by Sally E. Parry

Arrowsmith 100 years later: Osterholm Links Lewis’s Novel to Modern Society by Shalon Wilber

Becoming A Writer: A Review of Writers Like Us: My Life with Sinclair Lewis, by Barnaby Conrad, with Barnaby Conrad III by Shaun F. Richards

Sinclair Lewis and the Pulitzer …

The Green Plate Effect: Systematic Review And Meta-Analyses Of Vegan Diets And Metabolic Health In Adults- Findings From Randomized Controlled Trials, Wai-Kit Tom, Aaron Deming Looi, Vijayakumar Nithusharini, Kavitha Lakshmipathy, Uma Devi Palanisamy, Usha Sundralingam

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background: The increasing global interest in consuming plant-based diets, especially the vegan diet, is fuelled by ethical, health, and environmental concerns. A balanced and diverse vegan diet has the potential to play a significant role in achieving and sustaining optimal health, particularly in diet-based interventions for metabolic syndrome. Scope and approach: This systematic review evaluated randomised controlled trials, to elucidate the effects of a strict vegan diet on individual components of metabolic syndrome in the human population. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across four databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials; Embase via Ovid; Ovid Medline; Scopus). The search …