Digital Commons Network^™

Toward A Better Understanding Of Friction, Adhesion, And Stud Bearing Shear Transfer At The Steel-Concrete Interface Of Composite Bridge Girders, Callie Grace James

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Following curing of the concrete deck, load transfer between the concrete and steel components in a composite bridge girder is possible through three mechanisms: 1) mechanical contact (bearing) between the embedded shear connectors and surrounding cured concrete, 2) adhesion between the cured concrete and steel-section top flange, and 3) friction between the contacting materials Understanding the mechanisms of bearing, adhesion, and friction shear transfer at the steel-concrete interface of composite bridge girders is necessary for efficient proportioning of headed shear connectors (or studs) in design. To better understand the roles that stud bearing, adhesion, and friction play in composite girder …

A Roadmap For Equipping Saints For The Work Of Ministry At Sugar Land Church Of Christ, Lewis Anthony Parker Iv

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project was to create a roadmap for a process that invites and equips saints at Sugar Land Church of Christ to work in ministry. As part of the research process, a design team was empaneled and met for eight sessions, during which participants offered valuable insight into Sugar Land’s ministry context. This data informed the final roadmap. Ephesians 4, which discusses the importance of every member getting involved in ministry, serves as the foundation of this project. The work of every member is for the edification of the entire group, and the calling and gift of …

Assessing Neurocognitive Functioning Among Adults Ageing With And Without Hiv At The Kenyan Coast: Measurement Issues And Correlates, Patrick Nzivo Mwangala, Carophine Nasambu, Ryan Wagner, Mihaela Duta, Gaia Scerif, Charles Newton, Amina Abubakar

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background: Cognitive impairment is one of the most prevalent complications of HIV infection, with significant medical and functional impacts. However, valid, and reliable assessment tools are lacking for the newly emergent ageing population of people living with HIV (PLWH) in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), including Kenya. Without these tools, critical intervention opportunities, e.g., psychoeducation, treatment and additional support, are missed. To bridge this gap in Kenya, we adapted the Oxford Cognitive Screen Plus (OCSPlus), a tablet-based cognitive assessment tool designed for low-literacy settings, with adults ageing with HIV ≥ 50 years and their uninfected peers. This study examines …

Understanding Landowner Perceptions: Enhancing Conservation Easement Adoption In Missouri's Priority Landscapes, Mckenna N. Thompson, Jennah I. Klein, Robin M. Rotman, Sonja A. Wilhelm Stanis, Gus C. Raeker, Michele D. Baumer

Faculty Publications

Conservation of private lands is essential for protecting open space, supporting ecosystems and species, preserving resources, and facilitating outdoor recreation. One tool for private land conservation is a conservation easement – a voluntary legal agreement where a landowner surrenders certain rights to use or develop their property. This study explores landowner perceptions of perpetual conservation easements in areas of high conservation value in Missouri, focusing on landowners without existing easements. Through interviews, four themes emerge containing both motivations and constraints: prior knowledge, land protection, regulations, and finance. Many landowners were unfamiliar with conservation easements or had misconceptions or misunderstandings. The …

Microfluidic Investigation Of Green Carbon Capture, Storage, And Utilization Using Waste Concrete And Seawater, Abhishek Ratanpara

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology has emerged as a primary engineering pathway to mitigate global warming and climate instability. For carbon capture, amine-based absorption and stripping are widely used due to their high capture efficiency and retrofit compatibility. However, these systems generate toxic wastewater, consume large volumes of freshwater, and require significant regeneration energy. For carbon utilization and storage, deep saline aquifers and carbon dioxide (CO2)- assisted enhanced oil recovery (EOR) have been proven to be feasible options at the industrial scale; however, concerns remain about long-term subsurface storage integrity and limited efficiency in carbonate reservoirs containing more …

Assembling Life From Death: Examining The Archaeological Fauna Of Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse’S Past To Preserve Biodiversity For The Future, Victoria Sherwood

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This project utilizes an assemblage of faunal remains from a precontact midden at the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse archaeological site in northern Palm Beach County, Florida. The assemblage was identified and analyzed through the lenses of resource use and paleoenvironmental changes. The Indigenous groups in the area heavily utilized estuarine resources such as fish and marine turtles. The archaeological assemblage was compared to a modern survey of species present at the site. The species identified in the precontact collection are present in the surrounding area today. The archaeological assemblage matching up with modern species speaks to the success of Loxahatchee River …

An Inter-Model Comparison Of Snow Water Equivalent In Watershed 3, Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, For Winter 2023-2024, Ryan Reed

Master's Theses and Capstones

Estimates of snow water equivalent (SWE) are crucial for water availability and flood risk assessment due to the contribution of snow melt to increased surface runoff. However, many regions do not have observations of SWE, thus necessitating a robust method to estimate SWE for streamflow forecasting. Numerical snowpack models provide a potential way to estimate SWE in areas without observations. However, there are a multitude of snowpack models available, and they range greatly in their complexity. Even so, there have been few snowpack model intercomparisons to assess the trade-offs in model performance and complexity, and those that do exist did …

Enhancing Provider Knowledge And Implementation Of Medication For Opioid Use Disorder (Moud) To Improve Treatment Outcomes: A Quality Improvement Project., Motunrayo Abigael Ibraheem

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This quality improvement project sought to enhance healthcare providers' knowledge and attitudes toward Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) at Galt Ocean Rehab Center to improve treatment outcomes for patients with opioid use disorder. Despite evidence supporting the efficacy of MOUD, significant knowledge gaps and stigmatizing attitudes among providers create barriers to optimal care. Sixteen healthcare providers participated in a comprehensive educational intervention grounded in Jean Watson's Theory of Transpersonal Caring and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement's Model for Improvement. The intervention consisted of a 4-hour workshop, six weekly reinforcement sessions, and the implementation of standardized buprenorphine management protocols. Pre- …

Modeling The Greenland-Iceland-Faroe Ridge Using Integrated Geophysical Analysis, Zachary Clowdus

Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The Greenland-Iceland-Faroe Ridge (GIFR) is an area of significant geologic interest with anomalously thick crust related to enhanced melt generation from the interaction between the Mid-Atlantic Ridge and the Iceland hotspot. To the northeast of Iceland lies the Jan Mayen Microcontinent (JMMC), which is a continental fragment separated from Greenland during the opening of the Northern Atlantic. The overall extent of the JMMC, especially its southern boundary, remains poorly constrained. The crust beneath the GIFR is believed to be primarily of oceanic affinity. However, a recent discovery of felsic lavas in Iceland led to an alternative hypothesis that implies the …

Letter From The Editors: The Value Of Research, Quality Improvement And Evidence-Based Practice Projects, And Innovations In Clinical Practice, Nohemi Sadule Rios, Stephen Breazeale

Nursing & Health Sciences Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Moon Moth, Britain Noelle Powers

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Copula-Based Tests For Assessing The Association Between Genetic Variants And Mixed Phenotypes, Martin Amoah

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

High-dimensional omics studies increasingly involve heterogeneous data types and phenotypes, which traditional association methods struggle to model jointly due to incompatible marginal distributions and complex dependence structures. This thesis develops a unified copula-based framework for assessing associations between genetic variants and mixed phenotypes by decoupling flexible marginal models from their joint dependence structure. While previous copula-based approaches in this setting have focused largely on continuous and binary traits, we extend these methods to a broader class of phenotype pairs. Specifically, we introduce new association tests for bivariate outcomes involving ordinal–continuous, nominal–continuous, and survival–continuous combinations. The proposed methodology derives joint density …

Modeling Aerosol Transport During High Particulate Matter Episodes In El Paso-Juarez Region And Mitigating Mining-Related Emissions Of Rare Earth Elements (Rees) To The Air, Suzan Aranda Luna

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation examines the use of the HYSPLIT model to develop a methodology for the transport and dispersion of air masses affecting particulate matter (PM) concentrations in the El Paso Region, and bioleaching experiments as an alternative to mitigating rare-earth concentrations in the air. Chapter 2 describes the study methodology, 3 and 4 cover the modeling methodology using two-representative high PM2.5 episodes, occurring on February 28, 2024, and June 19, 2024, respectively. These sections encompass the analysis of backward trajectories using four different meteorological datasets to build trajectory frequency maps, the exploratory model analysis of modeled outputs from lower to …

Mi Cuerpo, Mi Salud: A Brief Sexual Health Pilot Intervention For The Promotion Of Latina Sti Testing, Ariana Cervantes-Borges

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Disparate rates of sexually transmitted infection (STI) contraction among Latinas and emerging adults highlight glaring public health issues that warrant brief and digital STI testing interventions to promote service acquisition. Latinas may experience a greater negative impact of STIs compared to men, indicating a need to target this population group. Prior studies have noted STI testing intentions and acquisition in Latina populations to be largely impacted by four components: education, stigma, social support, and self-efficacy. Given recent funding cuts for STI research, a brief and digital intervention may circumvent costs associated with traditional intervention implementation. The current study aimed to …

Unmixing In Very High Spatial Resolution Hyperspectral Images, Ana C. Chavez Lopez

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Hyperspectral Imaging (HSI) captures hundreds of contiguous narrow wavelength bands across the optical region of the electromagnetic spectrum collecting the spectral signature of materials in the field of view of the sensor enabling detailed analysis of each pixel's spectral signature. Satellite or airborne remote sensing systems often capture imagery with low to moderate spatial resolution (LMSR). At these resolutions, the measured spectral signature is a mixture of the signatures of the materials within a single pixel. This mixing of spectral information makes analysis and material identification difficult. Hyperspectral unmixing is an analysis technique that decomposes a pixel's spectrum into constituent …

Mbse For Process Analytical Technology- Bwon Analysis Case Study, Arnaldo Garcia Cervantes

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions from industrial sources, particularly Benzene, present significant environmental and public health challenges. Regulatory frameworks, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Benzene Waste Operations NESHAP (BWON), mandate strict monitoring of control devices, specifically carbon adsorption canisters, to prevent emission breakthrough. However, current industry practices rely heavily on manual Method 21 testing, a labor-intensive process that creates lagging indicators and increases the risk of non-compliance events. This thesis proposes the design and development of an on-line, automated fugitive emissions monitoring system tailored for carbon canisters using Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE). Utilizing the Object-Oriented System Engineering Method …

Development And Application Of Deep-Level Spectroscopy Systems For Characterizing Irradiation-Induced Traps In Gallium Nitride Schottky Diodes, Donald Hodgson

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Crystal defects are a natural consequence of the gallium nitride (GaN) crystal growth process and may also be introduced by exposure to radiation environments, leading to degradation of device performance. Detection of these defects are completed through various methods of characterization including Deep-Level Transient Spectroscopy (DLTS) and Deep-Level Optical Spectroscopy (DLOS). In this work, a custom DLOS measurement system was developed and validated to investigate deep-level defects in GaN Schottky diodes before and after irradiation. GaN Schottky diode structures and wafer layouts were designed based on baseline technology provided by the University of New Mexico (UNM) and modified to meet …

Exploring Intergenerational Conflicts Association Among Cultural Values, Bicultural Identity Integration, And Alcohol Use Severity Within Hispanic College Student Drinkers, Ashley Marie Lindquist

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Hispanic college students are at higher risk of experiencing family conflict [i.e., intergenerational conflict (IGC)] and engaging in increased alcohol use as they begin adopting values aligned with higher education institutions. Furthermore, minoritized students often develop an additional cultural identity influenced by mainstream values, resulting in a form of biculturalism. Research has sought to understand the navigation of values and identity through the concept of Bicultural Identity Integration (BII). However, limited research has examined the effects of BII on cultural values, IGC, and subsequent alcohol use among Hispanic college students. The current study explored the direct and indirect effects of …

Investigation Of Hot Mix Asphalt Aging Effect On Binder Performance, Zahra Mohajeri

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Asphalt roads continuously experience physicochemical changes under the combined influence of oxygen, heat, ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and water. Oxidation increases molecular polarity and association, causes maltenes loss, and continues hardening the asphalt binder, reducing ductility, stress-relaxation capacity, and resistance to cracking (Petersen 1982; Colbert and You 2012). Because aging is a cumulative process beginning at plant production, accelerating during construction/compacting, and continuing in service, the laboratory tests and indices must capture the extent of short-and long-term aging to support performance-related specification and Balanced Mix Design (BMD) (AASHTO R30 2022; Kim et al. 2017). This chapter reviews: (i) laboratory and field-representative …

A Combined Multi-Isotope And Machine Learning Approach To Determine Groundwater Salinity And Solute Sources, Lower Valley Area, El Paso County, Texas, Gloria A. Ortiz Gamboa

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Groundwater salinization is increasingly troublesome in aquifers in and around El Paso, Texas, where concern for available water resources has grown due to frequent droughts and increasing population. Both groundwater and surface water have experienced an increase in total dissolved solids (TDS), a trend that can pose future health and economic problems for residents who primarily rely on groundwater. To address this issue, this research focuses on the Hueco Bolson Aquifer and the Rio Grande Alluvial Aquifer within the Lower Valley area of El Paso, Texas, utilizing a multi-analysis approach to evaluate and determine solute sources and their possible end-members …

Relationships Between Social Determinants Of Health And Pain Outcome Changes After Exercise In Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis, Klarissa Siebert

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Background: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a common musculoskeletal disease with pain as the primary symptom. KOA pain is a major contributor to disability and reduced quality of life and has been associated with social determinants of health (SDOH) variables. As for treatments of KOA pain, exercise such as stationary cycling is a first-line and recommended treatment. However, limited research has examined how SDOH influence pain outcomes following such interventions. Objective: This study investigated whether income level, education level, employment status, acculturative stress, and perceived ethnic discrimination are associated with changes in pain following a standardized cycling ergometer exercise in adults …

“Have You Ever Dreamed Of A Better Version Of Yourself?”: A Psychoanalysis Of Representations Of Women Across Age In Horror Films, Weston Blu Stogner

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine representations of older and younger women in four horror films: The Leech Woman (1960), The Shining (1980), The Witch (2015), and The Substance (2024). Regarding horror film narratives, research suggests aged women are often depicted as wicked and lacking mental faculties, while young women with idealized and privileged body types are often fetishized. According to Creed (2023), these harmful, oppressive depictions are informed by male anxieties about women in patriarchy. When women are presented as monstrous (i.e., the monstrous-feminine) in horror films, they symbolize these anxieties. Therefore, all four films selected for …

Evaluating Healthcare Professionals’ Perceptions Of The Ist Algorithm In Maternal-Fetal Health Clinic: Usability And Satisfaction, Terri Taylor

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Standardizing substance-use screening in perinatal care is essential for optimizing clinical decision-making and promoting equitable patient outcomes. To address gaps, the Integrated Screening Tool (IST) algorithm was introduced in a Maternal–Fetal Medicine (MFM) clinic. However, 2023 data revealed inconsistent utilization. Evaluation Question: This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project evaluated: (1) How do nurse practitioners, medical doctors, and registered nurses perceive the usability of the IST algorithm for standardized drug screening in pregnancy? (2) How do these providers rate their satisfaction with the IST algorithm in managing patients with positive drug screens? Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with …

Draft Final 2022 Insufficiently Reclaimed Sites Sampling: Bres No. 50 – Zelia Site Evaluation Summary Report, Pioneer Technical Services, Inc.

Silver Bow Creek/Butte Area Superfund Site

No abstract provided.

Analyzing Patterns In Hofstede’S Cultural Dimensions Towards Individual Ai Receptiveness For Affective Experiences, Maggie Yang

Master's Theses

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) has significantly advanced efficient decision-making, with trust in algorithmic decisions shown to vary by cultural upbringing [1]. As AI becomes increasingly embedded in everyday life, it is essential to examine how cultural values affect trust in AI in subjective contexts that extend beyond purely quantitative analysis, like the personal interpretation of art. This work utilizes Hofstede’s cultural dimensions to investigate potential patterns in receptiveness towards AI predictions during art interpretation, providing insight into individual susceptibility to bias in AI-assisted affective analysis.

The study leveraged a cultural dimension survey and a custom Java program connected …

Associations Between Feed Efficiency And Feeding Behavior In Yearling Angus Bulls In A Competitive Environment, Amelia Katz

Master's Theses

Feed efficiency in beef cattle is a complex trait shaped by physiological, behavioral, and social factors that influence how animals access and utilize feed resources. This study examined feed efficiency classification and how it is influenced by feeding behavior, competitive interactions, and bunk approach patterns in yearling Angus bulls housed in a drylot over two years. Bulls were grouped into high and low feed efficiency categories using residual feed intake and feed conversion ratio within pen and year (n = 40 per year; n = 40 per treatment). Continuous electronic monitoring quantified feeder visitation, feeding duration, intake, and rate. A …

Is Military Service A Social Mobility Mechanism? Military Participation And Socioeconomic Benefits—Recommended Research And Data Resources, Corri Zoli, Linda Euto, Rosalinda Maury

The Lender Center for Social Justice

This research brief shares research and data resources that examine how military participation, particularly professional training and education, function as mechanisms for social mobility, leading to higher socioeconomic advantages among U.S. military members and veterans, including minorities.

The Effects Of Yoga In The Classroom On Social-Emotional Learning And Student Focus, Emily Wall

Capstones, Research Projects, and Curricula

This study investigated how students respond to brief yoga and breathwork practices being introduced in a high school biology classroom, specifically looking at the impacts to students’ social-emotional competencies, engagement, and academic focus. The theory of action guiding this inquiry was that embedding yoga practices into the classroom would decrease physical tension, decrease anxiety, increase self-esteem, and improve concentration, thus supporting their ability to engage and focus during learning tasks. The inquiry examined how students respond to a daily 10-minute yoga sequence implemented over three weeks (six class sessions). Data was collected through multiple tools, including a researcher-designed pre- and …

Annual Report, Fiscal Year 2024/2025, Tennessee. Department Of Safety & Homeland Security.

Annual Report

No abstract provided.

Nene Leakes As A Modern Medea, Jazzlyn L. White

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This paper examines how The Real Housewives of Atlanta functions as a modern form of Greek tragedy through its portrayal of Nene Leakes, whose rise and fall within the Bravo franchise mirrors the tragic arc of Euripides’ Medea. Both Medea and Leakes represent women who defy the systems that once empowered them Medea through her rebellion against patriarchal and familial structures, and Leakes through her public confrontation with the television industry that made her a star. By analyzing these two figures through rhetorical, feminist, and media studies frameworks, this paper argues that reality television operates as a contemporary stage …