Digital Commons Network^™

The Relationship Of Preschool Variables To Kindergarten Early Literacy Skills, Michele Davis Thomason

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the impact of Pre-K experiences on kindergarten early literacy skills in Alabama. A convergent parallel mixed-methods research design was utilized to analyze assessment data from My Teaching Strategies AlaKiDS and Renaissance STAR Early Literacy for kindergarten students in a rural Alabama district. The students were divided into three groups for comparison: students who attended Alabama First Class Pre-K, those in private programs using the Abeka curriculum, and students with no formal Pre-K experience. The dissertation utilized Vygotsky’s constructivist theory to assess the influence of early educational environments on the cognitive development through scaffolding and the Zone of …

Leveraging Diverse Knowledge To Support Collection Development: Maximizing Student Engagement And Community Resource Value In Varied Community College Settings, Jose Aguiñaga, Edward Mckennon

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

No abstract provided.

Contraceptive Use Among Transgender Men And Gender Diverse Individuals In The United States: Reasons For Use, Non-Use, And Methods Used For Pregnancy Prevention, Juno Obedin-Maliver, Ava Snow, Sachiko Ragosta, Laura Fix, Jen Hastings, Micah E. Lubensky, Matthew R. Capriotti, Zubin Dastur, Annesa Flentje, Mitchell R. Lunn, Heidi Moseson

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Objectives: To describe contraceptive use for pregnancy prevention among transgender men and gender diverse (TGD) individuals assigned female or intersex at birth (AFIAB) and explore whether contraceptive use differs by testosterone use. Study design: We analyzed data from a cross-sectional, online survey of N = 1694 TGD individuals AFIAB recruited in 2019 through a community-facing website and a national community-engaged cohort study of sexual and/or gender minority (SGM) adults in the US. Descriptive and regression analyses characterized the current and ever use of contraceptive methods for pregnancy prevention, stratified by testosterone use, and described reasons for contraceptive use/non-use. Results: Most …

Optogenetic Methods To Stimulate Gamma Motor Neuron Axons Ex Vivo, Apoorva Karekal, Remie Mandawe, Cameron Chun, Sai Kiran Byri, Danitza Cheline, Serena Ortiz, Shawn Hochman, Katherine A. Wilkinson

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

It is challenging to stimulate gamma motor neurons, which are important regulators of muscle spindle afferent function, without also recruiting alpha motor neurons. Here, we test the feasibility of stimulating gamma motor neuron axons using optogenetics in two transgenic mouse lines. We used an ex vivo muscle–nerve preparation in adult mice to monitor muscle spindle afferent firing, which should increase in response to gamma motor neuron-induced lengthening of the sensory region of the muscle spindle. A force transducer measured alpha motor neuron-mediated twitch contractions. Blue LED light (470 nm; 1–5 mW) was delivered via a light guide to the sciatic …

Opportunities And Barriers In Iowa’S Teacher Apprenticeship Program, Patricia Ryan

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this qualitative study is to better understand opportunities and barriers in Iowa’s Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship Program (TPRA), framed through the lens of social capital and wellbeing. By examining the lived experiences of apprentices and journeyman/mentor teachers, this study aims to provide deeper insights into the dynamics of teaching apprenticeships, highlighting the challenges and successes faced by teachers in this alternative route to teacher certification. Through in-depth interviews with both apprentices and journeyman/mentor teachers, this research explores how participants build social capital through mentoring relationships, as well as how these connections impact career wellbeing for both …

The Impact Of Structural Gamification On Student Motivation And Engagement In A Middle School Language Arts Classroom, Natalie Campbell

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Engagement through gamification can play a crucial role in enhancing student motivation. Gamification provides direct feedback, makes learning interactive, fosters collaboration, and makes learning more autonomous (Kuh, 2001; Reeve & Tseng, 2011). Including game-thinking and game mechanics in the classroom adds an aspect of engagement that may otherwise be lacking.

This action research study explored the impact of structural gamification on student engagement and motivation when incorporated in a middle school language arts classroom. Using a mixed-methods approach, the researcher measured student engagement and motivation. It reported detailed perceptions of participants through survey responses, examined achievement data from summative assessments, …

A Unifying Double-Reference Approach To Semantic Paradoxes: From The White-Horse-Not-Horse Paradox And The Ultimate-Unspeakable Paradox To The Liar Paradox In View Of The Principle Of Noncontradiction, Bo Mou

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The purpose of this study is to suggest and explain an engaging approach to three distinct types of (alleged or genuine) semantic paradoxes, the White-Horse-Not-Horse Paradox, the Ultimate-Unspeakable Paradox, and the Liar Paradox, in a unifying way that is sensitive to distinct features of them. Although the three types of semantic paradoxes address distinct types of objects, and although their seemingly paradoxical features are different (alleged or genuine), their distinct structures and contents can be understood and treated on the same common ground, which is jointly conceived in people's pretheoretic understandings of truth and of the double-reference feature of people's …

The Next Generation Science Standards And Their Implementation In Iowa High Schools, Janell Wright

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Almost a decade ago, the state of Iowa used the Next Generation Science Standards’ (NGSS) performance expectations as the basis for its state science standards for K-12 students. Several key changes were implemented within these standards, including an increase in the amount of Earth and space science content at the high school level and a three-dimensional approach interweaving science and engineering practices and crosscutting concepts along with disciplinary core ideas. In this dissertation, I used a three-paper format in an explanatory sequential mixed methods design to explore how districts in Iowa are using scope and sequence to address the NGSS. …

Health Care Professionals’ Perspectives On Technology Use In Urinary Care: Cross-Sectional Survey-Based Study, Nicole Zhang, Ni Zhang, Yun Wang, Rachel Wong, Kaylin Ma

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background: Urinary issues pose a significant burden on health care systems, necessitating innovative solutions to enhance patient care and alleviate the provider burden. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore health care professionals’ perceptions of urinary issues and assess their acceptance and readiness to adopt wearable and remote technologies for managing these conditions. The study aimed to identify the attributes and barriers influencing technology integration in clinical practice, using established theoretical frameworks, such as the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted. A structured survey questionnaire was administered …

Censorship: Through An Iowan’S Eyes, Erin Mcrae

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

This is a collection of creative work prefaced by an introduction, which gives an overview of the development of these pieces. The pieces contained in this thesis are comprised of various genres, including creative nonfiction, poetry, and short fiction.

Check All That Apply: The Persistence And Problem Of The Black/White Racial Binary In Iowa Public Schools, Jessica Nessan Kluck

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The promotion of monoracial normativity has profoundly influenced the language used in policies, creating societal expectations that other the identification of Black/white Biracial and multiracial identities. Despite the reality of our quickly shifting demographics, multiracial identities continue to be marginalized and misconstrued through racial reporting guidelines. Racial reporting used on forms required by the Iowa Department of Education are comingled with non-racially categorized data to further distance reality in education and the public-school rankings (Iowa Department of Education, 2012; State of Iowa, 2024).

The purpose of this study was to trace the legacy of the socially constructed racial binary, preserved …

Temporal Patterns Of The Introduced Sponge Hymeniacidon Perlevis (Montagu, 1814) In The Elkhorn Slough, California, Usa, Jackson T. Hoeke, Kerstin Wasson, Amanda S. Kahn

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Hymeniacidon perlevis is a cosmopolitan sponge with a seasonal life cycle. We investigated seasonal and interannual dynamics of H. perlevis in Elkhorn Slough estuary, where it is an introduced species, and explored correlations between sponge cover and environmental conditions. We used sponge cover to estimate the potential effects of H. perlevis on its environment, and how those could vary across its seasonal life cycle. We found that recruitment is currently restricted to the upper estuary and while it varies annually, the frequency and density of sponge recruits have generally increased from 2007 to 2023. A seasonal life cycle was confirmed …

A Short Pragmatic Tool For Evaluating Community Engagement: Partnering For Health Improvement And Research Equity, John G. Oetzel, Blake Boursaw, Lenora Littledeer, Sarah Kastelic, Page Castro-Reyes, Juan M. Peña, Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa, Shannon Sanchez-Youngman, Lorenda Belone, Nina Wallerstein

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background: As community-engaged research (CEnR), community-based participatory research (CBPR) and patient-engaged research (PEnR) have become increasingly recognized as valued research approaches in the last several decades, there is need for pragmatic and validated tools to assess effective partnering practices that contribute to health and health equity outcomes. This article reports on the co-creation of an actionable pragmatic survey, shortened from validated metrics of partnership practices and outcomes. Methods: We pursued a triple aim of preserving content validity, psychometric properties, and importance to stakeholders of items, scales, and constructs from a previously validated measure of CBRP/CEnR processes and outcomes. There were …

From Disciplinary Enthusiasm To Soulless Tasks: Norms Behind Computing Educators' Emotion Display, Virginia Grande, Päivi Kinnunen, Matthew Barr, Anne Kathrin Peters, Mihaela Sabin, Matilde Sánchez-Peña, Ethel Tshukudu

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Computing educators' emotion display is regulated by various norms and conventions. These (unwritten) rules affect which emotions educators feel comfortable expressing to different extents when students can perceive such displays. We draw on emotions and norms literature to investigate higher education computing educators' perceptions of what kinds of norms they have as criteria when considering which emotions they are (not) comfortable showing when teaching. Based on the qualitative content analysis of 22 interviews with computing educators from seven countries, we present various–sometimes connected or conflicting–norms that influence emotion display. These norms comprise moral, national, societal, professional, and affiliation norms that …

Age As More Than A Number: An Applied Geography Of Elderly Vulnerability To Heat Events In The Southeastern United States, John Darko

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

No abstract provided.

Ba Tha, Clas

Executive Actions

No abstract provided.

Eiu 4161g & Eiu 4162g, Clas

Executive Actions

No abstract provided.

Tha Minor Revised Program, Clas

Executive Actions

No abstract provided.

Favorite Foods Participant Packet, Caitlin Wollack

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.

Empirical Study Of Far-Field Radio Frequency Wireless Power Transfer Testbed For Underground Mines Based On 1.8 Ghz, Anabi Hilary Kelechi, Samuel Frimpong

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A novel 1.8 GHz far-field wireless power transfer (WPT) testbed was designed to achieve long-distance energy harvesting in underground mine (UM). Prior experimental studies confirm that underground mines experience 50 dB radio frequency (RF) signal attenuation compared to a typical wireless environment. Due to this severe signal attenuation, the currently proposed radio frequency energy harvesting (RF-EH) testbed cannot be deployed in underground mines. In this study, we proposed, designed and performed an empirical study with a military-grade class A radio frequency wireless power transfer (RF-WPT) testbed. The various digital modulation schemes experimented with included: BPSK, DBPSK, QPSK, OQPSK, Pi4DQPSK, 8PSK, …

Enhancing Safety In U.S. Coal Mines Through A Rib Support Recommendation Tool, Alper Kirmaci, Dakshith Ruvin Wijesinghe, Dogukan Guner, Kutay E. Karadeniz, Cameron Mitchell, Taghi Sherizadeh

Mining Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Despite ongoing efforts to enhance coal rib stability, the underground coal mining sector continues to face incidents of rib failure, leading to injuries and fatalities. The development and validation of effective rib support systems are crucial for mitigating these risks. Unfortunately, a standardized design methodology that accommodates the diverse geological conditions of U.S. coal mines is missing. Current practices are often based on trial-and-error or outdated methods, yielding unreliable outcomes. This research aims to fill this gap by creating a comprehensive methodology for designing rib support systems suitable for U.S. underground mines. It encompasses in situ pull-out tests of coal …

Boy Whose Head Was Filled With Stars: A Life Of Edwin Hubble (2021) By Isabelle Marinov, Maughn Rollins Gregory

Picture Books

Barely a hundred years ago, Edwin Hubble changed the way we understand the universe and our place in it more dramatically than almost anyone else has ever done. As this picture book biography shows, his mind-boggling discoveries can be traced back to childhood questions. The discovery that the world is bigger than we had imagined happens in many ways, and learning that we have some choices in deciding how new facts, new experiences, and new perspectives can matter to us is a necessary part of education.

Rapid Force Generation During Unilateral Isometric Hamstring Assessment: Reliability And Relationship To Maximal Force, N. J. Ripley, J. Fahey, M. Cuthbert, J. J. Mcmahon, Paul Comfort

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Limited research has reported the reliability of rapid force generation characteristics during isometric assessments of the hamstrings. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine the between-session reliability of rapid force generating characteristics of the hamstrings and relationship to maximal force production. Twenty-three female soccer players (age: 20.7 ± 4.7 years; height: 168.7 ± 5.9 cm; body mass: 64.4 ± 6.7 kg) performed three unilateral trials of the 90–90 isometric hamstring assessment, on two separate occasions, separated by 7 days. Peak force, force at 100- and 200 ms and average rate of force development (aRFD) over 100- and …

Transforming Transitions Ii: Building Children's Engagement In Learning At School, Lennie Barblett, Fiona Boylan, Amelia Ruscoe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Building on the success of the Transforming Transitions project conducted with ten Western Australian Independent Schools (Barblett et al., 2023), this study extended the inquiry into school engagement and the transition process. The project was reimagined to deepen collaboration with schools, focusing on two key areas: first, fostering meaningful engagement with young learners and their families during the transition to school by drawing on their funds of knowledge; and second, centering the perspectives of children as active participants in their transition, acknowledging their experiences and the role of family-school engagement in shaping their sense of belonging.

Feasibility And Psychometric Quality Of Smartphone Administered Cognitive Ecological Momentary Assessments In Women With Metastatic Breast Cancer, Ashley M. Henneghan, Emily W. Paolillo, Kathleen M. Van Dyk, Oscar Y. Franco-Rocha, Soyeong Bang, Rebecca Tasker, Tara Kaufmann, Darren Haywood, Nicolas H. Hart, Raeanne C. Moore

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Objective: Metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is associated with burdensome side effects, including cognitive changes that require ongoing monitoring. Cognitive ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) allow for assessment of individual cognitive functioning in natural environments and can be administered via smartphones. Accordingly, we sought to establish the feasibility, reliability, and validity of a commercially available cognitive EMA platform. Methods: Using a prospective design, clinical cognitive and psychosocial assessments (cognitive batteries; patient reported outcomes) were collected at baseline, followed by a 28-day daily EMA protocol that included self-ratings for symptoms and mobile cognitive tests (memory, executive functioning, working memory, processing speed). Satisfaction and …

Child And Family Centred Care: A Three-Phased Principle-Based Concept Analysis, Maggie Zgambo, Julie Blamires, Mandie Foster, Mohammad Al-Motlaq, Therese A. O'Sullivan, Davina Houghton, Evalotte Mörelius

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Introduction: Despite a growing multidisciplinary interest in the Child and Family Centred Care approach, its meaning remains unclear in extant literature. It is, therefore, crucial to explore, analyse, describe, and clarify the concept of the Child and Family Centred Care approach and its associated terms. Method: A three-phased principle-based concept analysis approach was used to analyse the concept of Child and Family Centred Care. A systematic search of literature was completed using the CINAHL, PsycINFO, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Peer-reviewed articles on Child and Family Centred Care, published from inception to 2023 were included if they were …

Machine Learning-Based Seismic Response Forecasting Using Feature Mapping Algorithms And Scientometric Analysis Of Nailed Vertical Excavation In A Soil Mass, Surya Muthukumar, Dhanya Sathyan, Premjith B, Sanjay Kumar Shukla

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Seismic analysis often involves significant uncertainty and requires detailed observations. The traditional approaches are constrained by unclear mechanisms and imprecise models to predict the stability of geostructures. The research gap between the accuracy of observed and predicted values can be bridged by employing artificial intelligence-based machine learning (ML) models. The seismic displacement of the nailed soil wall obtained from experimental studies were assessed using suitable ML approaches. Laboratory studies revealed that the critical acceleration was increased by 32% on the inclusion of nails of reinforcement length to excavation height ratio (L/H) to 0.6, and by 17% when the (L/H) was …

Prevalence And Profile Of New Zealand Osteopaths Treating People Experiencing Headaches And Migraines, Ana Paula Antunes Ferreira, Brett Vaughan, Jerry Draper-Rodi, Lee Muddle, Loïc Treffel, Cindy Mcintyre, Michael Fleischmann, Francesco Cerritelli, Kesava Kovanur Sampath, Amie Steel

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

To describe the prevalence and profile of NZ osteopaths treating people experiencing headaches and migraines. This study is the first to describe this practice. Manual and manipulative therapy interventions are commonly sought by individuals experiencing headaches or migraines. Evidence supports the use of manual therapy as part of the management of headache and migraine disorders. Osteopaths are health professionals who provide care for individuals experiencing headaches and migraines. However, there is a lack of data concerning the profile of osteopaths treating these conditions, in addition to their diagnostic and management strategies. The Osteopathy Research Connect-New Zealand (ORC-NZ), a practice-based research …

Reimagining Intelligence: A Comprehensive Review Of Human-Centric Ai Systems And Their Societal And Healthcare Integration, Zakaria Benlalia, Ghada Al-Kateb, Mourad Mzili, Konstantina Diamanti

Mesopotamian Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Human-Centric Artificial Intelligence (HCAI) is rapidly emerging as a transformative paradigm, shifting the focus of AI development from mere algorithmic optimization to ethical alignment, user trust, and societal integration most notably within the critical domain of healthcare. This review offers a comprehensive examination of the principles, architecture, challenges, and future directions underpinning HCAI, with an emphasis on its applications in health-related contexts. We begin by exploring the conceptual foundations of human-centricity, including core values such as transparency, fairness, autonomy, and privacy, all of which are essential in sensitive environments like clinical decision-making and patient data management. The paper then surveys …

Fake News Detection In Arabic Media Using Machine Learning And The Afnd Dataset, Hussain Ali Bahri

Theses

The proliferation of fake news in digital media poses a significant challenge to information credibility, particularly in linguistically diverse regions such as the Arab world. This study addresses the critical problem of detecting fake news in Arabic media by leveraging advanced natural language processing (NLP) techniques and the AFND dataset, which contains over 600,000 news articles categorized into "credible," "not credible," and "undecided" classes. The research focuses on developing a robust system using AraBERT, a transformer-based model specifically pre-trained for Arabic text. Key contributions of this work include a comprehensive preprocessing pipeline tailored to Arabic linguistic complexities, incorporating stopword removal, …