Digital Commons Network^™

Comparative Analysis Of Belt-Slider Pan Configurations On The Power Consumption Of Belted Conveyor Systems, Asib Ridwan

Student Theses and Dissertations

Conveyor systems are widely used in industrial applications for material handling, but their high energy consumption remains a significant challenge. This study investigated the influence of different belt-slider pan configurations on conveyor power consumption, aiming to optimize efficiency while minimizing energy losses. Three types of slider pans; mild steel, galvanized steel, and powder-coated steel, were analyzed under controlled experimental conditions to determine the motor torque and power consumption of a test conveyor system under various loading conditions. Torque and power values were derived, plotted, and comparatively analyzed across all configurations to determine performance differences. Static friction coefficients of each type …

Machine Learning For Genetic Expression, Jennifer M. Fowler

Student Theses and Dissertations

The publication of the human genome in 1994 launched a computational biology revolution. Despite subsequent advances in sequencing and computing technology, the research community lacks robust and reproducible tools for interpreting differential expression of genes. Modern high-throughput genome sequencing and high-density arrays allow unprecedented computational analysis of genetic profiles. These developments combined with the rise artificial intelligence and machine learning powered by unprecedented amounts of data present new opportunities in bioinformatics. A novel gene ranking method, AUCg, is presented and applied to genetic expression data from patients with multiple myeloma. The AUCg method is compared to popular Bioconductor tools, and …

Designing A Hybrid Renewable Energy System For The College Of Engineering And Computer Science At Arkansas State University, Partho Das Neer

Student Theses and Dissertations

The main objective of this thesis is to design and analyze the performance of a hybrid renewable energy systems (HRES) for the college of engineering and computer science at Arkansas State University. By implementing the framework as a micro-grid to supply the required power to the Lab Science West building of the college. The proposed model ensures energy reliability and cost reduction. The model consists of photovoltaic (PV) panels, wind turbines (WT), and batteries, whereas MATLAB software was used to design the system and the Electrical Transient Analyzer Program (ETAP) Software is utilized to analyze the effectiveness of the operation …

Integrating Biological Determinants With Sociological Models Of Criminal And Antisocial Behaviors, Christopher L. Pitts

Student Theses and Dissertations

This thesis tests an integrated biosocial model of adolescent deviance using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Comprehensive OLS regression models reveal that the predictors of offending are highly behavior specific. For example, biological sex is a strong predictor for violent crime but not for noncriminal antisocial acts, where sociological factors are dominant. The results demonstrate a complex interplay of factors, with prior offending history, biological traits (sex, BMI), psychological states (mental health), and social context (community efficacy) all emerging as significant, simultaneous predictors of various outcomes. These findings challenge the sufficiency of single-domain theories. They provide …

Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Diversity And Water Quality As Indicators Of Wetland Health In Natural And Constructed Wetlands Of Northeast Arkansas, Helena Grace Wheeler

Student Theses and Dissertations

Exposure to different abiotic factors drives a shift in macroinvertebrate communities. In wetland systems, soil is the primary driver of the aquatic system. Analyzing community dynamics in association with soil composition, water physiochemical properties, wetland size and age is valuable in determining wetland health. Little research has been done to examine the direct relationship between wetland soil parameters and macroinvertebrate communities. Macroinvertebrate diversity, community composition, and soil and water composition data were analyzed from natural wetlands, Agricultural Conservation Easement - Wetland Reserve Easement Program (ACEP-WRE) wetlands, and agricultural wetlands within the Mississippi Alluvial Plain. Sample collection occurred from February to …

Defining Student Success: Whether Inconsistencies Impact Institutional Resources And The Ability To Meet Student Needs, Kathleen Swain

Student Theses and Dissertations

The term student success is frequently used in higher education, yet no universally accepted definition exists. This lack of a common understanding of what success means can lead to inconsistent priorities and practices across institutions. This qualitative case study explored how internal stakeholders at one community college define student success and whether discrepancies exist between their definitions. Guided by the framework of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, this study addressed three research questions: (1) How do definitions of student success vary across community college stakeholder groups? (2) How do different community college stakeholders describe the relationship between the academic components of …

Introduction To Roots Of Justice: A History Of Race And Racism In Nebraska, M. Dewayne Mays, Paul Olson

Truth and Reconciliation History Project

Nebraska has made racism a way of life through most of its history. It is still the way of life for many. In 2020, a Nebraska columnist wrote the following about Nebraska: “[T]he issues stemming from racism can seem like foreign concepts, confined to the larger cities (or the American South) and relics of a distant past.”2 The column goes on to show that these issues were not confined to large cities or to the South; they rested on our back door in Nebraska. Yet, one often heard back as far as one could remember that Nebraska is not and …

Comparative Neurobiology Of Vigilance And Stress Adaptation Systems In Wild And Laboratory Rodents (Rattus Norvegicus), Molly Kent, Brendan Crockett, Aditya Narayanan, Isabel Dilandro, Andrés Mauco, Gabriella Handford, Paean Luby, Troy Richter, Jonatahn Richardson, Olivia Harding, Joanna Jacob, Sarah Hartvigsen, Kelly Lambert

Psychology Faculty Publications

Although chronic stress is typically associated with disease and negative outcomes, wild animals often survive—and even thrive—in environments marked by recurring threats. In this study, we investigated neurobiological differences in vigilance-associated and stress-coping systems, as well as resilience, in wild and laboratory-bred rats (Rattus norvegicus) to explore potential survival-related adaptations in wild populations. Consistent with previous findings, wild rats exposed to chronic environmental stressors exhibited heightened hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity, evidenced by enlarged adrenal glands and elevated fecal metabolites of glucocorticoids. Brains were processed using thionin staining for neural and glial cell counts and immunohistochemistry for immunoreactive targets. Wild …

Species Delineation, Phylogeography And Conservation Of Temperate Perches (Actinopterygii: Percichthyidae) From An Endemism And Climate Change Hotspot, Michael P. Hammer, David L. Morgan, Stephen J. Beatty, Mark G. Allen, Peter J. Unmack, Sean J. Buckley, Luciano B. Beheregaray, Jon Murphy, Mark Adams

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Context: The south-western corner of Australia is a biodiversity hotspot that includes a freshwater fauna with a high proportion of endemic species. The temperate perches comprise nearly half of the obligate freshwater fishes of the region, representing important components of local ecosystems and are of significant conservation concern. Aims: Provide a spatially comprehensive molecular genetic assessment of species boundaries and major substructure for all local members of the family to better understand the interplay of ecology and environment across a common landscape. Methods: Nuclear markers (allozymes) and matrilineal (cytb) datasets were generated to infer genetic groupings and any instances of …

Quantum General Relativity, James Glimm

Department of Applied Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Publications

We construct a quantum general relativity model of spin 2 Yang-Mills fields, complete at the level of theoretical physics with complete mathematics not included. The construction includes a cosmological model. Existing Type Ia supernova data analysis used for this cosmology shows zero cosmological constant and zero dark energy.

A History Of African Americans In Nebraska, Preston Love Jr., Adam Fletcher Sasse, Le Clara Gilreath, Portia Love, Heather Fryer

Truth and Reconciliation History Project

Black people have been present in Nebraska from its earliest days as a U.S. territory. The first U.S. Census of Nebraska, conducted in 1860, counted eighty-one Black people who, together, formed .28 percent of the young territory’s 28,841 residents. That number grew to 3,443 Black residents in 1900, representing 3.5 percent of the 102,555 residents of the state of Nebraska. The number and location of Black Nebraskans varied greatly through the twentieth century, comprising 13.7 percent of the state’s population in 1940 and 11.8 percent in 2020. Although African Americans have been relatively small in numbers, the historical record reflects …

Recent Arrivals: Refugee Resettlement In Nebraska, Emira Ibrahimpašić, Julia Reilly

Truth and Reconciliation History Project

One of the stories Nebraskans tell themselves is that the story of Nebraska is a story of immigration. One of the most recent versions of this story is that Nebraska is one of the best and most welcoming places in the country to be a resettled refugee. In many respects, this narrative is true, but as with all narratives, reality is more complicated. This chapter attempts to paint a fuller picture by providing a detailed history of the foundation of Nebraska’s refugee resettlement program, and an overview of five of the most populous refugee communities in Nebraska. First, we survey …

Exclusion From The Good Life: The Impact Of Anti-Asian Racism On Asian Nebraskans, Heather Fryer, Sharon Ishii-Jordan

Truth and Reconciliation History Project

To understand how Americans of Asian descent experienced, adjusted, and overcame negative experiences in Nebraska, recognizing the external forces on their lives is paramount. The experiences of Asians in their diaspora across the U.S. and Nebraska during a 150-year span have been shaped by both external (global and domestic) and internal (personality and resilience) factors. The presence of stereotypes specifically targeted toward Asian Americans due to exotic imaginings, pseudoscience, and economic fears, in addition to the images created by national media, gave rise to society’s acceptance of stereotypes. These external factors contributed to a belief that continues to this day …

"I Just Really Felt Like I Was Heard For The First Time": Survivor Experiences With An Adult Forensic Interviewing Model, Morgan E Pettyjohn, Aly Kramer Jacobs, Khara Breeden, Bethany L Backes, Leila Wood

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Adult forensic interviewing (AFI) collects evidence for the investigation and prosecution of interpersonal violence in a trauma-informed setting. The present study uses mixed methods evaluation data from an AFI program in the U.S. to assess survivors' perceptions of safety and the utility of participating in these interviews. Most participants felt the process was beneficial to their personal lives and criminal justice system engagement by: (a) allowing them to share their stories in more detail, (b) supporting their healing journeys, and (c) helping them feel safer through resource referral. AFI is a promising practice that warrants continued research.

Order Granting Motion To Modify 5th Amended Plan

Catholic Dioceses in Bankruptcy

No abstract provided.

Perceptions Of Adulthood Preparation Among Individuals Who Aged Out Of The Foster Care System, Victor Torrez Dawson

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This generic qualitative study was focused on the lived experiences of former foster care youth and their ability to acquire and retain self-sufficiency skills during their transition to adulthood. Using Bandura’s social learning theory as a framework, the research was focused on how interpersonal relationships with caregivers, mentors, and professionals influenced the development of these skills. Semistructured interviews were used to collect data from 10 former foster care youth. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data, and three key themes and 13 subthemes emerged highlighting both support and barriers that youth encountered. The analysis of the data revealed that …

Enhancing Disaster Response Through Mental Health Resilience: A Force Field Analysis, Veronica Portillo-Bradford

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Having a post-disaster program in place can offer survivors and emergency responders support, resource navigation, and resiliency planning. Human services workers in the field aid in disaster recovery and crisis prevention. The problem is that rural Nevada is already limited on resources and workforce with respect to mental and behavioral health response and recovery services. The purpose of this study was to identify unknown gaps within mental and behavioral health services in rural and frontier Nevada, in order to focus on advocating to enhance community resilience-related services post-disaster and potentially bolster resilience and disaster response preparedness. The framework for the …

Special Education Teacher Attrition, Gender Roles And Human Motivation, Kristen Yurczak

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative narrative inquiry examined the lived experiences of special education teachers working within United States public schools, focusing on factors contributing to special education teacher attrition, such as intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, job satisfaction, and gender dynamics. Fifteen certified special education teachers with at least two years of experience participated in semi-structured interviews conducted during the summer of 2024. This study is framed in theories of human motivation and gender roles, which informed the research questions and the analysis. The study’s findings indicated that intrinsic motivators—including a sense of purpose and the opportunity to positively impact students' lives were …

Examining The Influences Of Principals' Authentic Leadership Practices On Positive Classroom Learning Climate, Students’ Social And Emotional Learning, And Student Behavior, Craig Wesley Johnson

Student Theses and Dissertations

For many years, students’ well-being has been affected by hostile classroom learning climates, the lack of social-emotional learning, and disruptive student behavior. This study was guided by the Authentic Leadership Theory and Social-Emotional Learning. The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate the impact of principals' authentic leadership practices on the classroom learning climate, social-emotional learning, and student behavior. A quantitative study using ANOVA and hierarchical aggression test was conducted through a questionnaire, which 108 participants completed in a small rural school district in Southeast Missouri. Data showed no relationship between teachers’ years of experience and student behavior. Data …

The 3d Double Spherical Pendulum: Modeling, Analysis, And Simulations, Alexander Gofen

CODEE Journal

This paper presents an inquiry-based research project that develops and analyzes the system of ordinary differential equations governing the motion of the 3D double pendulum, blending computational experiments with applied and theoretical mathematics. We formulate the Lagrangian for the three-dimensional double spherical pendulum and use Maple to derive the four coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs) in angular variables; for completeness, we also present an equivalent Cartesian formulation. We then compare and visualize the models using the Taylor Center high-order Taylor-series solver, which delivers high-accuracy trajectories and real-time animations in 2D and anaglyph 3D (red/blue). We place the system in context …

Quality Improvement Project Enhancing Nursing Faculty Competency In Dimensional Analysis: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Kimberly Mcdonald

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Medication dosage calculation errors remain a persistent concern in nursing education and practice, often tied to inconsistent teaching methods that leave students unsure and underprepared. Dimensional analysis (DA) has been shown to improve accuracy and confidence in solving dosage problems, yet many faculty have not received structured training in this method. To address that gap, a quality improvement (QI) project introduced a six-week DA training program for nursing faculty in a pre-licensure program. The initiative was guided by the Roy Adaptation Model and Bandura’s Self-Efficacy Theory, with change supported through Kotter’s 8-Step Model and the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework. Using a quasi-experimental, …

Roots Of Justice: A History Of Race And Racism In Nebraska, Kevin Abourezk, M. Dewayne Mays, Paul Olson, Gabriel Bruguier, Preston Love Jr., Adam Fletcher Sasse, Heather Fryer, J.S. Onésimo (Ness) Sándoval, Sharon Ishii-Jordan, Emira Ibrahimpašić, Julia Reilly

Black Studies Faculty Books and Monographs

There is much to understand about the history of Nebraska and how the past shapes the present. This book attempts to bring into clearer focus the triumphs and trials of five broad groups whose lives have often been overlooked when the state’s history is told. The authors know some of this history of racism firsthand: Most of them have lived as people of color in Nebraska. They’ve experienced “the good, the bad and the ugly” that makes up our state story. We encourage educators, scholars and family historians to continue to dig, to document and to tell these stories. And …

Ron Nischwitz, Former Coach, Men's Baseball, Wright State University, Ron Nischwitz, Kathy Morris, Dan Abrahamowicz

Wright State University Retirees Association Oral History Project

This oral history interview documents the life and career of Ron Nischwitz, a Dayton native, former Major League Baseball player, and longtime Wright State University baseball coach. Nischwitz reflects on his journey from collegiate and professional baseball to building a successful coaching career, while also managing a business and overcoming significant personal challenges, including major health issues. The interview highlights his lasting impact on Wright State’s baseball program, his dedication to student development, and the legacy he established through both athletics and philanthropy.

Extensions Of Multicurve Stabilizers Are Hierarchically Hyperbolic, Jacob Russell

Mathematics & Statistics Faculty Works

For a closed and orientable surface S with genus at least 2, we prove that the π₁(S)-extensions of the stabilizers of multicurves on S are hierarchically hyperbolic groups. This answers a question of Durham, Dowdall, Leininger and Sisto. We also include an appendix that employs work of Charney, Cordes and Sisto to characterize the Morse boundaries of hierarchically hyperbolic groups whose largest acylindrical action on a hyperbolic space is on a quasitree.

Fighting For Fairness Where It's Needed Most 09-22-2025, Jane Govednik

Life of the Law School (1993- )

No abstract provided.

[Excerpt From] High Reliability Organizations (3rd Ed.), Cynthia Oster

Sigma Publications: Book Excerpts

Patient safety and quality of care are critical concerns of healthcare consumers, payers, providers, organizations, health systems, and governments. Evidence shows that high reliability methods enable the most efficient, safe, and effective care; however, these methods are not the standard in all healthcare systems.

Nurses—who are on the front line of providing safe and effective care—are ideally situated to drive high reliability. High Reliability Organizations: A Healthcare Handbook for Patient Safety & Quality, Third Edition, equips nurses and healthcare professionals with the tools necessary to establish an error detection and prevention system. In this new edition, authors Cynthia A. Oster …

09.22.2025 Ored Connect, Liz Williamson

ORED Newsletter

• Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Enhancement Award
• MIG Application Opportunity
• 10th Annual Advancing MS Conference

How Does R.I.S.E. Arkansas Address The Reading Needs Of Students In The Delta Region Of Arkansas Public Schools?, Kristy Brasfield

Student Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative study examined the impact of the Reading Initiative for Student Excellence (R.I.S.E.) Arkansas on reading achievement in grades 3–10 across Arkansas public schools from 2015 to 2023, with particular attention to high-poverty districts in the Delta Region. Using ACT Aspire Summative Assessment data, the study employed independent samples t-tests, paired-samples t-tests, repeated measures ANOVA, and multiple linear regression to analyze trends in student performance, subgroup disparities, and district-level variation. Results indicated incremental statewide gains in reading, with the most significant improvements occurring in early grades. However, schools with 70% or higher National School Lunch Program (NSLP) participation showed …

Development Of An Instrumented Test System To Evaluate Mechanical Characteristics Of Belted Conveyor Systems, Coleman Emerson Wilson

Student Theses and Dissertations

The use of conveyor systems within industrial and warehouse settings gives the ability for increased productivity and increased speed of moving objects. As in many settings, the use of these conveyor systems requires large amounts of continuous runtime, and the ability to save even small amounts of energy over a large period can create large improvements in the total overhead cost of running the facility. Research into the ability to characterize the components within a conveyor system gives the ability to identify sources of large amounts of wasted energy and quantify these losses. There is a need to quantify the …

The Echo: September 22, 2025, Taylor University

2025-2026 (Volume 113)

No abstract provided.