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The Design Of Coplanar Waveguide Traveling-Wave Kinetic-Impedance Parametric Amplifiers, Jordan Scott Savoie

Master's Theses

Astronomical observations and many physics experiments rely on cryogenic amplifiers for readout. Current sensitivity is limited by the noise figure of high-electronmobility transistor (HEMT) amplifiers, which have proven di!cult to decrease further in recent years. Traveling-wave kinetic-impedance parametric amplifiers (TKIPAs) are an emerging class of amplifiers which have the potential to substantially improve the sensitivity of microwave low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) while also accepting relatively high input powers and amplifying over a wide bandwidth. In this thesis, I present the design, modeling, and testing procedures for coplanar waveguide (CPW) TKIPAs developed by our group at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. Using …

Structural And Computational Results On Equitably Dissectible Graphs, Ann Wells Clifton

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation introduces the class of equitably dissectible graphs — graphs whose vertex set can be recursively partitioned into two parts whose sizes differ by at most one where the two induced subgraphs are connected. In Chapter 2, we show that a graph is equitably dissectible if and only if it has a spanning tree that is equitably dissectible, and we use this result to establish connections between the class of equitably dissectible graphs and Hamiltonian graphs. We also fully characterize the equitably dissectible spiders of the form S3(a) and S3(a, b), identifying a family of unruly spiders that are …

A Backtracking Algorithm For Determining The Existence Of Regular Graphs Of Specified Girth And Excess, Stetson Ray Bosecker

Doctoral Dissertations

The study of cages focuses on finding (k, g)-graphs of minimal order. This dissertation generalizes the problem of finding cages to the determination of graphs with specified excess, thereby broadening the significance of the results. The (k, g, ε)-graph problem seeks to determine the existence or nonexistence of k-regular graphs with girth g and excess ε = n(G)−M(k, g) (where M(k, g) represents the Moore bound for cage graphs). Motivated by heuristic methods used to determine properties within the study of cages, we present a backtracking algorithm capable of constructing (k, g, ε)-graphs or determining their nonexistence. Chapter 2 provides …

Privacy-Preserving Structure Learning For Geospatial Data Using Information-Theoretic Dependency Measures, Ahmed Mudhish

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation proposes a privacy-preserving framework for structure learning in Bayesian networks (BNs) that addresses the challenges of distributed geospatial data face. Geospatial datasets often exhibit region-specific patterns such as sparsity and nonlinear dependencies. These patterns undermine the effectiveness of traditional machine learning models. Additionally, learned BN structures may reveal sensitive relationships in the generated graph by BNs. These relationships pose a significant privacy risk if reverse-engineered. To address these issues, three novel algorithms are introduced. First, the Selective Naïve Bayes with HSIC (SNB-HSIC) algorithm applies a kernel-based dependency measure to filter redundant and irrelevant features in sparse datasets, improving …

Personality, Self-Compassion, And Alcohol Use In College Students, Kristen Kay Ridgdell

Doctoral Dissertations

Substance use has been occurring throughout history, and most individuals have been impacted by substance use in one way or another (Durrant & Thakker, 2003). The individual using substances is not the only one who faces the consequences of their usage. Their families and communities also pay a price (Lander et al., 2013; McLellan, 2017). College students are in a unique role in their lives where they are fighting for autonomy, trying to fit in with their peers, and facing new stressors they have never experienced before. Previous research has demonstrated that certain personality traits, including conscientiousness and agreeableness, are …

Lactation Management Training In Graduate Nutrition And Dietetics Programs: A Preliminary Report, Laura Ashton Gillin

Master's Theses

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding (BF) for the first six months and continued breastfeeding for at least two years with complementary food. Despite this recommendation, only 24.9% of infants in the United States are exclusively breastfed at six months (Breastfeeding Report Card 2022). Breastfeeding support and lactation management are critical to promoting a successful breastfeeding experience. Specifically, qualified support from a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) is recommended, yet graduate students in Nutrition and Dietetics do not receive adequate training regarding breastfeeding intervention. This study aimed to evaluate graduate Nutrition and Dietetic programs to determine the amount of …

Sleep, Emotion Regulation, And Relationship Satisfaction: A Moderation Analysis, Lakyn Boone

Doctoral Dissertations

Sleep plays a pivotal role in overall health and well-being, influencing mental health, cognitive abilities, memory, emotional balance, and physical well-being (Luyster et al., 2012; Mukherjee et al., 2015). Emotions constitute a natural and indispensable element of human existence but necessitate proper regulation, as any disruption in emotion control has been associated with various mental health disorders (Gross & Jazaieri, 2014; Kring & Gordon, 1998; Phelps, 2006). Furthermore, human connections and relationships are fundamental aspects of the human experience, contributing to emotional support, personal growth, a sense of belonging, and even influencing one's physical health outcomes (Baumeister & Leary, 1995; …

Advancing Rfid Systems: From Head Orientation To Robotic Localization Using Passive Tags, Guilherme Ricardo Mendes Da Silva Barreto De Figueiredo

Doctoral Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Hardiness, Coping, And Well-Being In Trauma-Exposed College Student-Athletes, Kiara Scott

Doctoral Dissertations

College student-athletes (CS-As) face many stressors, such as adjusting to a university setting, academic pressures, and the demands of an elite athlete (e.g., battling at a high level during training and competition and managing mental struggles in their sport) (Barbayannis et al., 2022; Barnard, 2016). Some individuals are exposed to events that may be classified as traumatic, such as physical and sexual assault, natural disasters, and other related forms of human suffering (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Around 50%-80% of college students have been exposed to at least one traumatic event throughout their lifetime (Frazier et al., 2009; Read et al., …

An Envisioned And Efficient Design Of Next Generation Decentralized Iot Bot Detection Model, Ahmed Abdullah Almalki

Doctoral Dissertations

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) and Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) are revolutionizing critical infrastructures, but their expansion has also introduced severe cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Traditional IoT Bot Detection Systems (IBDS) struggle to scale in environments characterized by high-dimensional, large-scale, and redundant network traffic. These challenges hinder the development of reliable cloud-based intrusion detection systems. The limitations of static and rulebased methods in detecting evolving IoT botnet attacks—such as those launched by Mirai and Gafgyt—underscore the need for intelligent, adaptive approaches. To address this, the present study proposes a machine learning and deep learning-driven IoT Botnet Detection Model, validated through …

Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Confidence, Perspectives, And Practices Among Registered Dietitian Nutritionists, Avery Miller Adams

Master's Theses

Vitamin B12 deficiency is common in the United States, occurring in 20% of adults aged 60 and above (Andres et al., 2004). Veterans are susceptible to B12 deficiency due to tobacco product usage, alcohol consumption, and poor diet quality. Megaloblastic anemia is the second most prevalent vitamin deficiency disorder recorded in military personnel from 1997 to 2015 (Knapik et al., 2021). This exploratory, analytic research aims to assess registered dietitian RDN nutritionists’ (RDN) knowledge, perceptions, and intentions regarding treating vitamin B12 deficiency in a clinical setting. Due to population prevalence differences, responses from VA and non-VA practicing registered dietitian-nutritionists (RDNs) …

Socio-Cultural Correlates Of Breastfeeding Behavior Among Latina Mothers And Its Implications For Child Health, Liliana Davalos, Brisa Rodriguez Alcantar, Marissa Martinez, Christopher Johansen

Social and Behavioral Health Faculty Research

Background: Latina mothers in the United States report lower rates of breastfeeding initiation and exclusivity than their non-Hispanic counterparts. Lower rates of breastfeeding in infancy may lead to a higher rate of excess weight in childhood and adverse health conditions. Breastfeeding disparities in Latina women have been previously correlated with socio-cultural factors such as acculturation, education, income, nativity, and marital status. This study examines whether socio-cultural factors are associated with breastfeeding behaviors in Latina mothers in Nevada. Methods: Participants were Latina mothers [n = 214] over 18 years of age, with a child 2–5 years old. A logistic regression was …

The Effect Of Education Policy On Crime: An Intergenerational Perspective, Ulrika Ahrsjö, Costas Meghir, Mårten Palme, Marieke Schnabel

Cowles Foundation Discussion Papers

We examine the intergenerational effect of education policy on crime. Using administrative data that links outcomes across generations with crime records, we show that the Swedish comprehensive school reform, gradually implemented between 1949 and 1962, reduced conviction rates for both the generation directly affected by the reform and their sons. The reduction in conviction rates occurred in several types of crime. Mediation analysis suggests that key channels include increased parental educational attainment and household income, as well as reduced criminal behavior among fathers.

The Experiences Of School Psychologists Serving Students With Traumatic Brain Injuries: A Phenomenology, E. Grace Ritchie

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a complex experience associated with a diverse constellation of symptoms and challenges. TBI scholars have extensively explored the varying needs of youth in the aftermath of a head injury. Likewise, recent literature details recommendations for school psychological services in support of these students. Such recommendations largely reflect insights drawn from broader TBI and disability research, integrated with the established scope of school psychologists’ practice (e.g., the National Association of School Psychologists Practice Model). Nevertheless, school psychologists’ perceptions of these students’ challenges have been inadequately examined. Such perspectives are likely valuable, given school psychologists’ unique training …

Trainee Countertransference And Competency In Bereavement Therapy: Strengths And Limitations Of The Wounded Healers, Meghan Paynter

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Countertransference is a common experience in therapy, happening among clinicians of all stages of their career and the outcomes of this experience hinge largely on how countertransference is managed. Challenging topics, such as grief, only make countertransference harder to manage effectively and the management of this experience improves with practice and time—something trainees have not yet ascertained. Given the pervasiveness of grief as a human experience, also indiscriminate in nature, the experiences of trainees experiencing countertransference are important to understand, including what is experienced, how they experience it, and how it impacts their process and self-perception of confidence and competence …

Equilibration And Transport Of Binary Mixtures On Planar And Porous Nanomaterials, Andrew Torres

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

We present results of a Kinetic Monte Carlo investigation of the adsorption dynamics of binary gas mixtures on planar and porous sorbents, with a focus on identifying and characterizing kinetic processes involved in uptake evolution and how they influence equilibrium conditions. We also investigate varying thermodynamic simulation parameters such as interactions, alkane lengths, partial pressures and pore configurations to determine how they impact these kinetic processes as well as equilibrium properties. This study matters both for better understanding how kinetics and equilibrium are connected and for improving practical techniques in separation applications. For planar surfaces, weak species overshoot kinetic processes …

A Guidance Practice Model: Reframing Prevention, Identification, And Treatment Of Trauma-Impacted Students With Intellectual Disabilities, Mark H. Thomas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The experience and exposure of trauma among youth, especially continuous traumatic experiences, poses considerable risks of long-term effects. Moreover, untreated trauma and subsequently negative mental health outcomes, like anxiety and depressive disorders, can negatively impact the psychosocial and academic functioning of students. One population that is generally overlooked regarding mental health in schools are students with intellectual disabilities (ID). This is problematic as this population is at an increased risk of traumatic experiences, such as maltreatment and social exclusion.

Moreover, the comorbidity of trauma and internalizing disorders among students with ID can exacerbate already existing challenges and deficits with social …

Oral History Interview With Timothy Clark (Part 2), Timothy Clark

Oral History Collection

The interview covered:

• Teaching and Curriculum
• Research
• Challenges & Future
• Personal Reflections
• Libraries
• Advice
• Advice for Students

Federated Boolean Matrix Factorization Using Integer Programming, Quynh Anh Nguyen, Ngoc Nguyen, Nhat Phan

Research from the Berry Summer Thesis Institute, 2025

Identifying the underlying structural patterns in data and extracting meaningful insights is a key challenge in data analysis. One effective approach to this problem is matrix factorization (MF), which approximates large matrices with lower-dimensional representations, making it effective for uncovering hidden patterns. MF techniques are widely applicable across various domains, such as recommender systems, cancer genomics, system identification, clustering, and image processing. Despite their effectiveness, existing MF methods often struggle with computational constraints and convergence challenges when tackling large-scale, nonsmooth, and nonconvex optimization problems, which are common in real-world applications.

This project aims to explore both the theoretical understanding and …

Exploring The Meaning Of Moshing: An Ethnographic Study Of The Relationship Between Hardcore/Punk Culture And Catharsis, Clayton Kempf

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research looks at “moshing,” an aggressive style of dancing that occurs primarily at hardcore/punk concerts. Moshing involves people at a concert throwing their bodies, swinging their limbs, running into people, and hitting one another. I aim to explore how mosh pits and hardcore/punk culture provide participants with an emotional release through catharsis. Catharsis looks at releasing emotion to help alleviate pent-up stress physically and emotionally. A cathartic release can temporarily offer peace of mind, clarity, and joy that overrides the feelings of negative emotions and stress. I will examine the process people go through to reach this cathartic release …

Hiv And Sti Testing Service Utilization Among Youth Experiencing Homelessness: A Multi-Method Inquiry, Alexander A. Ochs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Youth experiencing homelessness (YEH) face disproportionately high risk for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), yet rates of testing remain low. This dissertation examines the individual and social network level factors that influence HIV/STI testing behaviors among YEH. Guided by insights from multiple theoretical frameworks, this three-paper dissertation integrates quantitative and qualitative approaches to better understand how personal relationships and social context shape HIV/STI testing decisions in this population.

Paper 1 presents a secondary data analysis of the Homeless Youth Risk and Resilience Survey (HYRRS), which includes 1,426 YEH across seven U.S. cities. Logistic regression models identified geographic variation in …

Comparing Ordinary Least Squares And Quantile Regression: A Causal-Comparative Approach To Modeling Conditional Relationships, Samuel Nnorom

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression has traditionally been the preferred quantitative method for estimating linear relationships. However, it assumes that the effect of a predictor variable remains constant across the entire outcome distribution, which can miss important insights when data are heterogeneous. Quantile Regression (QR), on the other hand, offers a more detailed analysis by focusing on the full response variable distribution, thereby revealing different relationship patterns at various quantiles within the outcome. This study compares how OLS and QR perform in modeling conditional relationships within a causal-comparative framework based on ex post facto research. Using the mortality data from …

Better Serving Those Who Serve: Supporting Psychological Wellness Of Lgb Military Personnel In The Post “Don’T Ask Don’T Tell” Era, Anne Neuweiler

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Few studies have been able to explore lesbian, gay, and bisexual military personnel’s experiences in military mental healthcare settings. This study examined the experience of LGB servicemembers in military counseling environments, as well as how to support these servicemembers in military mental health and military communities. Six participants volunteered for the study and six semi-structured interviews were completed with LGB servicemembers who had contact with mental health. Three research questions guided the present study and a transcendental phenomenological frame was used to analyze the data and themes emerged. Research question one yielded three themes: 1) “I'm Definitely not Gay”: The …

The Covid-19 Pandemic As An Environmental Jolt And Its Impact On Firms And Essential Workers, Kimberly Kay Hyett Nehls

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Environmental jolts are sudden, large-scale disruptions that challenge organizational and societal stability and demand new ways of understanding adaptation across individuals and firms. This two-paper dissertation explores the human and organizational dimensions of such jolts through the empirical context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Paper 1 examines how global tourism firms navigated the crisis, introducing the constructs of global stakeholder interconnectedness and stakeholder prioritization fluidity to refine stakeholder theory. The findings show how international exposure shaped communication strategies under duress. Paper 2 turns to the lived experiences of low-wage essential workers, extending sensemaking theory through the concept of constrained sensemaking, highlighting …

The Safety Of Abiraterone Acetate In Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer: An Individual-Participant Data Meta-Analysis Based On 14 Randomized Clinical Trials, Amy L Shaver, Nikita Nikita, Swapnil Sharma, Scott W. Keith, Kevin K. Zarrabi, Wm. Kevin Kelly, Grace Lu-Yao

Kimmel Cancer Center Papers, Presentations, and Grand Rounds

Background/objectives: Multiple systemic treatments are available for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), with unclear safety profiles. This study seeks to describe the safety determined in randomized clinical trials of a systemic treatment for mCRPC and whether safety differs by age. Methods: We utilized individual patient data from industry-funded phase 2/3 trials in mCRPC on abiraterone acetate (AA). Vivli, a clinical trial repository site, was used. One investigator independently performed screening. Relative effects of treatment were assessed with frequencies and odds of serious adverse events (SAEs). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guideline was used. Subgroup analysis measured …

A Developmental Evaluation Of A Dental Hygiene Program And A Community Health Partnership, Laura Jacob

Higher Education: Doctoral Research Projects

Today, dental hygiene education commonly occurs in community college settings which are removed from dental schools thus dental hygiene students graduate with relatively little to no exposure to dentistry or directly with a clinically practicing dentist. With dental hygiene workforce shortages at an extremely high level, locally and nationally, it is imperative to matriculate students who are poised to be successful in the changing landscape of healthcare.

The purpose of this program evaluation was to investigate via the developmental program evaluation model, the perceived benefits of a potential collaboration between the Colorado Mountain College (CMC) dental hygiene program and a …

Alameda Song Sparrow Habitat Use Of Salt Pond Restoration Sites In South San Francisco Bay, Bradley A. Speno

Master's Theses

Restoration is acknowledged worldwide as a conservation need to return ecosystem functions. However, projects require monitoring to track system changes and assess restoration progress. In the San Francisco Bay, several large restoration projects are implementing plans to return salt-producing ponds to the historical ecosystem, tidal salt marsh. The Alameda song sparrow (Melospiza melodia pusillula), a California species of special concern, has been documented to use restored and historic marshes, but their use of restored salt ponds is not fully understood. The birds’ use of restored marshes may be a useful measure of restoration progress. This research investigated the relationships comparing …

Examining Barriers To Crisis Service Use Among Black Young Adults, Emily K. Burns

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Black communities face an increased burden of mental illness (Gordon, 2020). This can be linked to factors such as experiences of racism, higher rates of unemployment, financial and food insecurity, and disparities in health care (Gordon, 2020). Despite this, Black communities have historically experienced relatively low rates of suicide (Gordon, 2020). This has been anecdotally attributed to protective cultural values and beliefs about suicide. However, there has been a recent shift in this trend, particularly for Black youth and young adults.

A Systematic Review Of Technology-Infused Physical Activity Interventions In K-12 School Settings: Effectiveness, Roles, And Implementation Strategies, Taemin Ha, Jongho Moon, Hyeonho Yu, Xiaoping Fan, Lisa Paulson

Department of Kinesiology Scholarship and Creative Works

Background

Rapid technological advancements have rendered many prior reviews of technology-integrated physical activity (PA) interventions in K–12 schools obsolete. A comprehensive analysis examining both the effects of these interventions and the specific roles that technology plays has been notably lacking. This review aimed to systematically examine the effects of technology-infused PA interventions and identify the specific types, roles, and contextual applications of technology within K–12 schools.

Methods

This systematic review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A thorough search across seven electronic databases (CINAHL, ERIC/EBSCOhost, PsycINFO, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) …

Characterization Of L-Band Resonators And Relaxation Times Of Soₓ- Radicals At X-Band, Georgina Naa Odey Amassah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) analysis requires resonators optimized for specific experimental challenges. Volume resonators enclose samples, while surface coil resonators allow imaging of larger subjects. For in vivo studies, L-band frequencies are commonly used because they offer a good balance between signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) and the ability to penetrate tissue. Rapid Scan (RS) EPR at L-band frequencies was chosen for my studies of resonators because of this balance but presents a challenge for sensitivity.

The spatial position dependence of signal intensity was evaluated for selected paramagnetic samples using 10 mm and 30 mm surface coils. The 10 mm coil, with …