Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Students' Attendance On Their Academic Success: A Ypar Study, Quennella Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Youth participatory action research (YPAR) is a collaborative research approach that empowers students to examine issues affecting their lives and communities. This action research aimed to investigate the relationship between students’ attendance and academic success on middle school students, focusing specifically on eighth-grade students based on the theoretical framework of the critical race theory (CRT) in education and the self-determination theory (SDT). Three research questions were explored related to the impact of students’ attendance on their academic success: 1) What do students consider factors that lead to their poor attendance? 2) How do students feel they can be supported in …

"Some Of Them Went To Yale": Ambition, Legal Careers, And Nominations To The Federal Bench, Abigail Violet Hassett

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation theorizes and quantifies judicial ambition. Article III judges in the United States judiciary are nominated by a president, confirmed by the Senate, and may hold their seat for the remainder of their lifetime. This is a distinct process from other political actors, like congresspeople, presidents, elected judges, and local officials, who are beholden to voters. This dissertation posits that individuals who are high in judicial ambition should consciously choose career paths and interact in networks which will enable them to achieve their goal. After theorizing and quantifying ambition, the measure is replicated on an original dataset of 1300 …

Lgbtqia+ Materials In The Elementary School Library – Examining Purchase And Use: A Mixed Methods Approach, Valerie Byrd Fort

Theses and Dissertations

The need for and importance of diversity in children's literature is well documented, and this study adds to that body of research by addressing LGBTQIA+ materials in elementary school libraries. This mixed-methods study investigates the attitudes, selection, purchasing, and use of LGBTQIA+ materials written for an elementary school age audience by elementary school librarians in U.S. public schools.

Using a national survey distributed electronically to elementary school librarians, quantitative data from 325 participants were collected to examine the extent to which librarians purchase and use LGBTQIA+ materials. Additionally, qualitative insights were obtained through semi-structured interviews with 15 survey respondents, offering …

Relationships Between Modern Marching Percussion And Concert Percussion: An Investigation Of Selected Percussion Ensemble Repertoire, Ian Patrick Mahaffey

Theses and Dissertations

Percussion, as an expansive and diverse art form, encompasses a wide range of performance and cultural aesthetics, all unified by the foundational elements of rhythm, technique, and expression. Within this spectrum, the relationships between marching percussion and concert percussion presents a significant area of study. This document explores the relationships of marching percussion and concert percussion through the contextual analysis of specific percussion ensemble repertoire. By defining the distinct characteristics of concert and marching percussion, the study establishes a framework for comparison and analysis. It highlights how techniques, both musically and compositionally, and the roles of specific instrumentation has contributed …

The Use Of Threat Assessment Protocols In K-12 Schools On Disciplinary Outcomes For Students With Disabilities, Natasha Lynn Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

School personnel utilize the BTAM process to investigate threats of violence made by students through identifying, assessing, and managing potentially dangerous situations. This process is not intended to be disciplinary in nature, and previous studies conducted have shown that when a BTAM model is implemented, students who make threats toward others receive fewer suspensions or other types of removal as a result of the threat; however data on threat assessment outcomes has not been conducted in South Carolina. The purpose of this study was to examine administrators' knowledge and perceptions of BTAM models and perceptions of discipline outcomes for students …

Novel Approaches To Combat Neuro-Degradation: Investigations Of Two Supplemental Strategies Aimed At Improving Warfighter Performance, Blaine Lints

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the efficacy of two distinct nutritional supplementation strategies for improving physical and/or cognitive performance under stress. The first study investigated the effects of 150 mg caffeine plus 150 mg theacrine ingestion in tactically trained individuals. Results indicated that the combination of caffeine and theacrine was associated with significant improvements in reaction time, accuracy, and measures of ocular control following high-intensity interval (HII) exercise. The HII exercise protocol consisted of ten repetitions of 60s high-intensity intervals (≥90% maximal oxygen uptake [VO_2max]) followed by 120s low-intensity intervals (~40% VO_2max) on a treadmill. These benefits were …

The Mediating Role Of Gratifications In Gamified Ai Chatbot Engagement: Astimulus-Organism-Response Approach, Deukmook Bae

Theses and Dissertations

Recent technological advancements and evolving consumer preferences have prompted a substantial shift from live sport attendance to mediated sport consumption, particularly among younger audiences. In response, enhancing the quality of mediated sport experiences has become a strategic priority for sport marketers seeking to maintain consumer engagement and market relevance. Although second-screen usage has been introduced to support this transition, its effectiveness remains uncertain due to limited interactivity, lack of personalization, and the potential for user distraction.

To address these limitations, AI chatbots have emerged as a compelling alternative, offering adaptive, user-centered interactions that promote deeper engagement and enrich the mediated …

Hearing The Unheard: Creating A Brave Space To Analyze The Experiences Of Men Of Color In Student Service Roles And Their Mental Health Challenges Within Higher Education, Calvin Maurice Joyner

Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzed the experiences of five men of color in student service roles dealing with mental health stressors, such as discrimination, workplace burnout, tokenism, and low morale. To highlight their experiences, a brave space was utilized as an intervention. The following questions were examined and answered within this qualitative, action research study: (1) What are the experiences of men of color with mental health challenges in student service roles? (2) How do mental health problems affect the personal and professional lives of men of color in student service roles? (3) How do the brave spaces impact the mental health …

Understanding Community College Students’ Thoughts And Motivations Regarding Tutoring In An Undergraduate Mathematics Course, Whitney Paige Cherekos

Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods study examines community college students’ thoughts and motivations regarding tutoring, with the aim of identifying disparities in tutoring utilization and engagement at a community college in North Carolina. The purpose of the dissertation is to evaluate tutoring effectiveness and explore students’ perceptions of tutoring. The findings of this study led to proposed solutions to reduce or eliminate the barriers that today’s community college students encounter when needing academic support.

To evaluate tutoring effectiveness, I collected quantitative data from institution registration reports, transcripts, tutoring logs, and an anonymous student survey for students enrolled in multiple sections of a single …

In Their Own Words: How Standardization Shapes Student Learning Experiences, Jessica Cantley

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative action research study explores how students perceive and experience standardized and elective educational environments in a rural, Title I high school in the U.S. South. Through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions with seven diverse participants, the study investigates student-defined learning objectives, motivation and engagement across different classes, and youth perceptions of valuable learning experiences. The research is grounded in constructivism, applying feminist theory and critical race theory as lenses to challenge power dynamics and promote equality in education.

Findings confirm the problem of practice that inspired the study by revealing a contrast between students’ experiences in standardized …

Information Literacy In Charter Schools: An Institutional Ethnography, Katherine Klein

Theses and Dissertations

A strength of US charter schools is their opportunity to carve out an educational niche. Without the same regulation and district control present in traditional public schools, a charter school’s approach can seriously impact how the school addresses information literacy. In our current culture, we are saturated with media and technology, and students learn about navigating, evaluating, and using information responsibly and creatively at school. However, there is currently no published research on how charters do this critical work with their students, particularly with fewer libraries and librarians in the sector. This study uses institutional ethnography to map ruling relations …

Getting Poked (Lovingly) With A Stick: A Study Of Parental Involvement During First-Year Students’ College Transitions, Mary Ellis Glymph

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, some higher education professionals have observed an increase in parental involvement in the lives of their students during their transition to college. While involved parents are sometimes referred to as “helicopter parents,” this new generation of parents often fits more into the label of “snowplow parents” or “lawnmower parents.” This sort of over-involvement impacts students’ personal and academic development far beyond high school graduation; during college, students can struggle to adjust to new levels of academic rigor, but they can also struggle with self-confidence and internal motivation due to their lack of experience with addressing their own …

Using Critical Literacy To Illuminate Multicultural Perspectives In A Second Grade Classroom, Amelia Marzieh Hecker

Theses and Dissertations

Teaching about equity and diversity can be a challenge for elementary school teachers due to many factors including lack of understanding, resistance from parents, and discomfort due to the current political climate. This action research aims to examine the experiences of the teacher and second grade students as they use cultural literacy to explore multicultural texts. This action research took place in an upper-middle class community in the suburban area of Long Island, near New York City, where most participants identified as white. The data for this research took place over a six-week period. Observations, transcripts, journaling, and artifacts were …

Examining The Impact Of Teacher Participation In Pedagogical Content Knowledge Development Intervention On The Academic Achievement Of Culturally And Socioeconomically Diverse Students, Emelyne Viteve Baucicaut

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study examines the impact of a Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) intervention on elementary teachers' instructional practices and student outcomes in Math and English Language Arts (ELA). The goal was to address student underperformance by enhancing teachers' PCK and exploring how improved content knowledge and pedagogical strategies influence classroom teaching and student achievement. Using a concurrent mixed-methods design, baseline data were collected through surveys, classroom observations, and student assessments. Over five weeks, teachers participated in professional development focused on lesson planning, student exemplars, and success criteria. Due to scheduling constraints, computer-based assessments were replaced by analyzing student work …

Enhancing Self-Efficacy In Ap Psychology Through Targeted Intervention Strategies, Felicia Jennifer Butler

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed-method action research case study was to measure the effects of an individualized intervention on academic self-efficacy and academic achievement in an Advanced Placement (AP) psychology class. The study focused on four students who received a failing grade on the first unit test and took place over an eight-week period. Quantitative data was collected in the form of assessment data (both formative and summative), survey questions modeled after the General Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (GASE), and assignment completion. Qualitative data was collected in the form of semi-structured interviews and open-ended reflection questions. The findings suggest that psychology …

Who Do I Want To Become?: Validating Identity As A Key Component Of A Teacher Leadership Framework, Denae Kizys

Theses and Dissertations

Historically, teaching has been a solitary profession within a hierarchy, where educators work in isolation and their roles are primarily focused on instruction. However, as education has evolved, especially post COVID-19, there is a shift towards a need for a more collaborative, ecosystem-based approach, where teachers are not only in their classrooms but acting as teacher leaders within this ecosystem. This research aims to understand the development of teacher-leader identities through the use of the proposed, Ecosystem of Teacher Leadership Framework, which uses elements of self-leadership, recognition, and the ecosystem. Through both qualitative and quantitative methods, a survey-like interview was …

Separate But Not Equal: A Sequential Explanatory Mixed Methods Study Of Adjunct Structural Empowerment, Experiences, And Perceived Needs In A Midwestern Community College, Shauna Sowga

Theses and Dissertations

Higher education institutions are increasingly reliant on contingent or gig-based labor in the form of adjunct faculty. Adjunct faculty make up the majority of community college faculty, yet they tend to receive the least support, resources, and training investments from colleges. This is no different at Metro Community College, a large, urban college in the Midwest. The problem of practice for this study revolves around Metro Community College social sciences adjunct faculty’s needs for support, resources, and training to do their jobs effectively. This sequential explanatory mixed methods study examined these adjuncts’ structural empowerment, experiences, and perceived needs for support …

Cultivating Smiles On The Frontier: The Making Of Brazil’S Soybean Capital And Community Building In Sorriso, 1980-2020, Nathalia Francio Cocenza

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the transformation of Sorriso, a small municipality in Mato Grosso, Brazil, into one of the world's leading soybean producers, placing its local history within the broader context of global agricultural and economic shifts from 1980 to 2020. Sorriso represents the unique convergence of local, regional, and international forces that reshaped Brazil's agricultural landscape. This study critically examines the political, environmental, and social dynamics that positioned Sorriso at the forefront of soybean production, illuminating the town's transition from a remote frontier settlement to a global agribusiness hub.

Through a detailed analysis of previously unstudied archival sources, interviews with …

Camp In The Kitchen: Feminism And Craft In Liza Lou's Beaded Worlds, Aurora X. Bell

Theses and Dissertations

Kitchen (1991–96) was the first major work of art by American artist Liza Lou. It is an installation of a life-size kitchen in which every surface and object is covered in glass beads. Kitchen, which Lou refers to as a monument to women’s unsung domestic labor, received considerable critical attention and drew the artist into ongoing conversations around the relationship between “fine art” and “craft” and about the role of feminism in the art of the 1990s. In contemporary interviews, however, Lou expressed discomfort with the label of “craft” as well as with feminist art that she considered “didactic.” …

Bridging The Gap: Implementation And Perception Of High-Leverage Practices Among General And Special Educators, Jacqueline Ann Viotto

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the use and perception of High Leverage Practices (HLPs) among general and special education teachers within educational settings. Utilizing a concurrent mixed-methods research design, the study integrates quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to examine how HLP knowledge and use by educators. This dissertation investigates the knowledge and use of HLPs in inclusive settings through the following research questions:

1. What is the self-reported knowledge and use of HLPs by teachers?

2. What are the differences in self-reported knowledge and usage of HLPs in inclusive environments when comparing general education and special education teachers?

3. How do general …

Filling In The Gaps: Evaluating A Self-Regulated Learning Strategy For Middle School Students Using Action Research, Leslie Eller Southerland

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this action research study was to evaluate the effects of a self-regulated learning innovation on middle school students’ self-regulated learning skills. One way to address problems such as student motivation, student engagement, and distracting behaviors in the classroom is to explicitly teach self-regulated learning skills such as goal setting, strategy use, self-monitoring, and systematic practice. Two research questions guided this study: (1) How and to what extent does a self-regulated learning innovation impact 7th and 8th grade students’ self-regulated learning skills (planning, self-monitoring, evaluation, reflection)? (2) In what ways do 7^th and 8^th grade students …

Functional Data Analysis On Life Expectancy And Healthcare Expenditure, Hagen Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations

This study analyzes the life expectancy for 237 countries from 1950-2023 and the healthcare expenditure for 50 countries from 1970-2022, and how life expectancy and healthcare expenditure relate to each other. Functional Principal Components Analysis was used to analyze the life expectancy and healthcare expenditure for each of the countries. Additionally, the regions of the countries were analyzed to identify any regional trends for the life expectancy data. Due to missing data and the structure of the healthcare data, multiple imputation methods and Principal Component Analysis techniques were explored for the healthcare data. Furthermore, a simulation study was conducted to …

Approaches To Enhancing Multiple Hypothesis Testing Methods With Side-Information, Siyu Zheng

Theses and Dissertations

Lesion-symptom mapping (LSM) studies offer insight into the brain areas involved in various aspects of cognition. This is commonly done via behavioral testing in patients with a naturally occurring brain injury or lesions (e.g., strokes or brain tumors). This results in high-dimensional observational data where lesion status (present/absent) is non-uniformly distributed, with some voxels having lesions in very few (or no) subjects. In this situation, mass univariate hypothesis tests have severe power heterogeneity where many tests are known a priori to have little to no power. Additionally, high-dimensional observational data can be grouped according to brain anatomical structure.

In this …

Willa Cather’S Uneven Ground: Guest Editor's Introduction, Emily J. Rau

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries: Faculty Publications

Guest editor's introduction to the summer 2025 issue of Western American Literature, a special issue on resettling Willa Cather’s West.

Author Reply: Investment Case For Mental Health, Cyprian Mostert

Population Health, East Africa

No abstract provided.

Clearance Of Acute Bilateral Idiopathic Central Corneal Stromal Haze Likely Due To Topical Losartan, Karen Asfar, Jad F. Assaf, Jeremiah Gendy, Sadeer Hannush, Shady T. Awwad

Wills Eye Hospital Papers

To report the use of topical losartan as a potential treatment of acute bilateral central corneal stromal haze in a patient presenting with a syndrome resembling central toxic keratopathy (CTK).Patient and Clinical Findings:A 51-year-old man presented with clinically significant central corneal stromal haze bilaterally 6 days after a periorbital and facial contact dermatitis secondary to pesticide exposure. Uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity (UDVA and CDVA) were 20/80 and 20/70 in the right eye, and 20/200- and 20/150+ in the left eye, respectively. After unsuccessful treatment with topical antivirals, antibiotics and corticosteroids, the patient started off-label treatment with topical losartan …

Comparison Between Ondansetron And Granisetron In Preventing Nausea And Vomiting After Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Waleed D. Khubzan, Mohammed H. Albagieh, Ruyuf A. Nathif, Waad M. Alshamrani, Nawaf S. Alharbi, Reem A. Sharahili, Naif M. Alsaeed, Mohammedeid M. Mahfouz

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To find the most optimal drug for post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV) prophylaxis after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) by comparing ondansetron and granisetron. Methods: We carried out our study in adherence to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses instructions. Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Ovid MEDLINE (through November 2024) were searched for studies comparing ondansetron and granisetron after LC. Primary outcomes include the incidence of PONV at 0-12 hour and 0-24 hour time points; secondary outcomes included rescue anti-emetic use and adverse effects. All data analysis and the quality assessment were carried out by utilizing …

Rehmannia Glutinosa For Perimenopausal Syndrome In Patients With Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Dejia Kong, Feixiang Huang, Wenhua Liu, Ma Lin, Zhumei Sheng, Junmiao Xu

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To carry out a quantitative assessment of the therapeutic effect of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM), with Rehmannia glutinosa as the main ingredient, in treating perimenopausal syndrome (PMS) in breast cancer patients. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CHM with Rehmannia glutinosa as the principal ingredient and Western medicine in treating PMS among breast cancer patients were retrieved from multiple databases. These databases included PubMed, Cochrane library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, China Science and Technology Journal Database, and China Biology Medicine Database. The primary outcome was the change in the Kupperman index by the end of the …

Illuminating The Role Of Vegfa And Egfr In Head And Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Through The Multi-Omics Data Integration, Alaa S. Alhegaili, Mohammed Alissa, Abdullah Alghamdi

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To investigate the functions of 2 crucial wound-healing genes, vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Methods: This observational study, carried out between January and August 2024 in Saudi Arabia, involved 20 HNSCC and 10 normal oral cell lines sourced from The American type culture collection. Cell lines were cultured and gene expression was analyzed via RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Promoter methylation and mutational analyses were carried out using databases like UALCAN and cBioPortal. Functional assays, including cell proliferation, colony formation, and wound healing, were carried out …

Prevalence And Factors Associated With Functional Disability In Daily Activities Among Older Adults In Bisha, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study, Abdullah H. Alhalafi, Ibrahim A. Eljack, Shehab M. Almalki, Ahmed S. Doghish, Osama A. Mohammed, Abdullah F. Alhalafi, Saif M. Alqahtani, Hussain S. Alqahtani, Galaleldien M. Abdalla, Abubakar M. Jibo

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of functional disability among older people attending primary healthcare centers in Bisha, Saudi Arabia. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design and gathered data from older adults (60 years and older) attending primary healthcare centers in Bisha. Data was collected using structured interviews based on the Katz Index of Independence in activities of daily living (ADL). Ordinal logistic regression models identified major ADL limiting variables. Results: A total number of 396 respondents, with 40.7% (n=161) females. The prevalence of functional disability using the Katz ADL Index scale was 54%. Nearly half (45.5%) of the respondents …