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Staff Education To Improve Nursing Knowledge On Fall Prevention, Mary Del Riffe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Summary Falls in health care facilities constitute the most prevalent incidents among all safety-related mishaps. If unaddressed, falls can result in severe consequences and perhaps fatal outcomes for patients. The Doctor of Nursing practice (DNP) project was developed to address the issue of patient falls in a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH). The practice-focused question was: Will implementation of an educational evidence-based staff fall prevention program improve nurses’ knowledge on fall prevention? The 1-hour staff education program was created based on review of recent evidence. Twelve nurses attended the staff education program. A pre- and posttest were used to evaluate …

Evaluating Metamitron Efficacy For Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus Palmeri) Management In Sugarbeet Across The Central High Plains, Abraham Akuoko

Department of Agronomy and Horticulture: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Herbicide-resistant (HR) Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson) is regarded as one of the most prominent weeds within sugarbeet fields across the Central High Plains, with limited chemical control options. Although a few herbicides are available, their use is restrictive due to crop injury concerns and can only be applied at or after the 2–4 true leaf (TL) growth stage, which will provide no control for already emerged weeds. However, Palmer amaranth often emerges between sugarbeet planting and the 2 TL sugarbeet growth stage. Consequently, as of 2023, there were no herbicide options to control Palmer amaranth in sugarbeet …

Fragmentation In The U. S. Fed Cattle Market: Implications For Price Transparency And Discovery, Taralee M. Hudson

Department of Agricultural Economics: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The U.S. fed cattle market is one plagued by recurring stakeholder concern. Market participants frequently raise questions about the transparency of fundamental information under existing reporting frameworks, and the extent to which Private Negotiation, the dominant trading institution, effectively facilitates price discovery. Although extensive research has sought to address these issues, much of it has failed to account for the market’s increasingly fragmented structure. This thesis is comprised of three chapters that collectively examine price transparency and discovery through the lens of market fragmentation. Each chapter presents research related to the fed cattle market and is intended to stand …

Developing A Metabolic Engineering Chassis From A Metabolically Versatile Organism, Rhodopseudomonas Palustris Cga009, Mark William Kathol

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Metabolic engineering has made it possible to develop biological processes that were once considered economically unfeasible or uncompetitive. This field has enabled both a robust niche market, whereby products, such as pharmaceutical substances like monoclonal antibodies, are produced exclusively through biological means, as well as an emerging commodity production market. Nonetheless, significant challenges remain in harnessing the unique metabolic capabilities of genetically non-tractable organisms. This dissertation focuses on Rhodopseudomonas palustris CGA009 as a potential chassis for metabolic engineering. To address the issue of genetic intractability, a synthetic biology toolkit was developed to facilitate the expression of heterologous proteins in R …

Realism, Truth, And Commitment: An Exposition And Critique Of Michael Devitt's Constitutive Account Of Realism, Samuel Elias Hobbs

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Michael Devitt argues in Realism and Truth that positive semantic issues are not constitutive of realism concerning the mostly impersonal external world. This is motivated by his second maxim which prescribes that the metaphysical (ontological) issue of realism is to be (sharply) distinguished from any (positive) semantic issue. Devitt’s argument is that his view of realism, entitled ‘Realism’, doesn’t entail and isn’t entailed by any doctrine of truth.

This dissertation presents a critique of the argument indicated above and, thereby, Devitt’s second maxim. I present Devitt’s account of Realism and his overview of theories of truth. I next present Devitt’s …

Changepoint Detection As Model Selection: A General Framework, Michael A. Grantham

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation presents a general framework for changepoint detection based on ℓ₀ model selection. The core method, Iteratively Reweighted Fused Lasso (IRFL), improves upon the generalized lasso by adaptively reweighting penalties to enhance support recovery and minimize criteria such as the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). The approach allows for flexible modeling of seasonal patterns, linear and quadratic trends, and autoregressive dependence in the presence of changepoints.

Simulation studies demonstrate that IRFL achieves accurate changepoint detection across a wide range of challenging scenarios, including those involving nuisance factors such as trends, seasonal patterns, and serially correlated errors. The framework is …

In-Field Tractor Operational Load Profile Generation In Support Of Advanced Tractor Testing In Mixedmode Power, Andrew Donesky

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation addresses the need to better characterize real-world tractor power requirements across drawbar, power take-off (PTO), and hydraulic modes to support more representative tractor testing. Conventional testing protocols, such as OECD Code 2, emphasize steady-state performance under controlled high-load conditions, which do not reflect the mixed and dynamic demands of modern field operations. To address this gap, a Tractor Instrumentation System (TIS) was developed, validated, and deployed to collect high-resolution, mixed-mode power data during planting, anhydrous ammonia application, and grain cart operations. The TIS integrates physical sensors, including custom load pins, hydraulic pressure/flow sensors, and a redesigned PTO torque …

Southern / Appalachian Migrants And Urban Development Politics In Uptown Chicago, 1950-1972, Charles Wayne Dowdy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates how ideas of interregional migration were used in service of urban renewal agendas in Uptown Chicago from 1950 to 1972. It argues that The South and Appalachia as regional ideas were impactful in postwar midwestern urban development politics, even as regional identity was less powerful as an adhering force for actual migrants in comparison with factors of race and class. Chapter 1 examines the development and use of the urban enclave model of interregional migration by the Uptown Chicago Commission in the late 1950s. It argues that anxieties around suburbanization and urban decline fueled the production of …

Knowing One's Place At The Table: Taste As A Means Of Othering In The American Colonies, 1700-1775, Nicholas Harp

Master's Theses or Doctor of Nursing Practice

This thesis began as an inquiry into a simple question. How did people in the American colonies talk about the food that they ate? This question led to a fascinating look into the social dynamics of the people living in eighteenth century America. Their own personal writings demonstrate how they understood their place in society through the food that they ate. Moreover, they often wrote about the way that other people ate in ways that alienated or discriminated against different ethnic groups. A look into the secondary historiography revealed that other historians had noticed this trend. However, very few addressed …

Why The Triple Bottom Line Fails: Advancing The Jesuit Vision For Sustainability Education In Business, Trevor Zink, Melissa Fitzpatrick, Justin Nordin, Jeffrey S. Thies

Journal of Management for Global Sustainability

This paper critiques the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework as conceptually flawed and ethically insufficient for sustainability education in business. While the TBL aims to balance profit, people, and planet, its logic prioritizes profitability, rendering social and environmental goals conditional and marginal. We argue that this framing undermines critical thinking, moral imagination, and ecological literacy in business students—especially within Jesuit institutions, which are called to form conscientious leaders. Drawing on Jesuit educational tradition, we propose a reorientation of business purpose around economic sufficiency rather than profit maximization, guided by integral ecology and the common good. This shift invites a more …

The Relationship Between Exercise And Prospective Memory: A Meta-Analysis, Shaykhah Salman Alqahtani

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Prospective memory (PM)—the ability to remember and carry out future intentions—is essential for everyday functioning. This cognitive process involves intention formation, retention, cue detection, and execution. Emerging research suggests that physical exercise may influence prospective memory performance through potential enhancements in attention, executive functioning, and neuroplasticity. This thesis examines the relationship between physical exercise and prospective memory through a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature.

This review synthesized evidence from experimental studies to evaluate the effects of acute and chronic exercise interventions on prospective memory in diverse populations. Six studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in …

Out-Of-Pocket Costs, Treatment Pattern, And Disparities In Outcomes Among Adults With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Shishir Maharjan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to: 1) determine out-of-pocket cost trend and the impact of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provisions on the out-of-pocket costs among Medicare-enrolled chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients; 2) evaluate treatment patterns and comparative effectiveness of therapeutics classes for CLL treatment in adults; and 3) assess racial disparities and time to treatment initiation in survival outcomes among Medicare-enrolled beneficiaries with CLL.

In objective 1, a cohort study using SEER-Medicare linked data from 2006 to 2020 identified 13,356 eligible beneficiaries with incident CLL. Among them, 3,158 (23.7%) were projected to benefit from the IRA’s $2000 annual out-of-pocket …

Integrating Gis And Machine Learning To Uncover Spatial, Temporal, And Contributing Factors To Bicycle Crashes, Precious Kamsiyo Ejikeme

All Theses

The recent drive for a cleaner environment has led to an increase in greener modes of transportation, including the use of bicycles. These emerging trends have led to an increase in bicycle-related crashes. According to the CDC, an estimated 1,150 cyclists were killed in 2023, with 120,000 sustaining non-fatal injuries. Transportation planners and agencies are under pressure to make cycling safer by providing dedicated bike lanes and improving existing infrastructure. To accomplish this, it is very important to understand which factors contribute to bicycle crash severity across different roadways.

Despite recent advancements in modeling bicycle crash severity, most studies rely …

Sex, Riots, And Holy Water: How Modern Society Desecrates And Reconsecrates The Sacred, Jodeyah J. Mills

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores how modern societies desecrate and reconsecrate the sacred through rhetoric, ritual, and visual performance. Using three case studies, Nazi Germany’s transformation of Quedlinburg Abbey, the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, and Sabrina Carpenter’s controversial church music video, “Feather,” this project analyzes how sacred meaning is violated and restored in religious, civic, and popular contexts. Drawing on Kenneth Burke’s dramatistic cycle and postsecular theory, it argues that desecration and reconsecration are dialogic acts that expose competing moral vocabularies within culture. Each event demonstrates that even in a secular age, people respond to ruptures of ultimate meaning …

Automated Assessment Of Periapical Health Based On The Radiographic Periapical Index Using Yolov8, Yolov11, And Yolov12 One-Stage Object Detection Algorithms, Shehabeldin Mohamed Saber Prof.Dr., Ahmed A. Torky Phd

Dentistry

This study investigates the application of recent YOLO (You Only Look Once) algorithms for automated detection and classification of apical periodontitis using the Periapical Index (PAI) scoring system (1–5). A dataset of 699 digital periapical radiographs was collected from diverse sources, de-identified, and annotated by calibrated experts before splitting into training, validation, and testing sets. Three deep learning models (YOLOv8m, YOLOv11m, YOLOv12m) were trained and their performance was evaluated using Precision, Recall, F1 score, mean average precision (mAP50), Intersection over union (IoU), and confusion matrices. Two-sided McNemar’s exact test was further conducted to compare models on lesion-level outcomes. The results …

Visualizing The Fretboard: Arpeggiated Patterns, Muscle Memory, And Neurocognitive Strategies For The 5-String Electric Bass, Matthew Alexander Woisin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Proficient navigation of the 5-string electric bass requires a comprehensive mastery of various techniques and a solid understanding of music theory. This includes a detailed grasp of arpeggios, chord extensions, and the development of deeply ingrained muscle memory for precise execution. This thesis introduces a structured methodology that refines existing fretboard visualization techniques and applies a unique manner of fretboard mapping, offering a more precise framework for comprehending and unlocking the full range of the instrument. By drawing insights from music theory, music education, cognitive science, neuroscience, and technology this approach is achieved by synthesizing research on visual pattern recognition, …

Distributed Agency And Posthuman Rhetoric In Genai-Assisted First-Year Composition Writing, Bianca E. Guzman

English Department Theses

This thesis explores the dynamic interaction between human and non-human agents in the process and production of writing. In particular, theories on the co-constitutive nature of the human-technological relationship, posthumanist theory, and rhetorical theory are used to reframe first-year writing as an act of distributive agency that always involves people, objects, and their material environments. In recognizing the essential role of “things” in first-year writing, this thesis considers how Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) can be critically conceptualized and utilized as a pedagogical tool by instructors in the college writing classroom. Additionally, this thesis details an IRB-approved research study done at …

Identifying Common Characteristics Among Female Serial Killers And The Role Of Early Childhood Abuse, Jill Marie Raichel

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Approximately 17% of known serial killers in the United States are women, and often their crimes go undetected for years accruing a higher number of victims than their male counterparts. The purpose of this study was to identify common characteristics of female serial killers (FSKs). A multidisciplinary, holistic and developmental approach was used to guide the identification of common characteristics based on theories by Erik Erikson and Carol Gilligan as well as feminist theory. Case studies of 15 FSKs were randomly selected for participation from a list of over 100 known FSKs documented in the Radford Serial Killer database. Common …

How Presidents Shift Ideological Stances In Legislative Elections: Evidence From South Korean Presidential Speeches, Doyeon Park

Department of Political Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Presidents have a strong desire to lead their parties to victory in elections. However, relatively little attention has been paid to their ideological stances in legislative elections. This contrasts with extensive research on the ideological strategies of parties and candidates who directly compete for office. How do presidents adjust their ideological positions in legislative elections? This study examines the institutional dynamics surrounding presidents, focusing on their dual responsibilities and the role of legislative elections as a referendum on the presidency. It also considers presidential popularity as a factor that influences these dynamics. I argue that presidents are more likely to …

Defining The Causal Contribution Of The Gut Microbiota To Cardiomyopathy Pathogenesis As A Basis For Developing Microbiome-Targeted Therapies, Xu Shi

Department of Food Science and Technology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, placing substantial clinical and economic burdens on society. Although advances in therapy have improved patient outcomes, the biological mechanisms that drive HF onset and progression remain incompletely understood. Increasing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota, the trillions of microorganisms residing in the gastrointestinal tract, plays a key role in some forms of heart disease, especially cardiovascular disease. Moreover, gut microbial dysbiosis has been associated with systemic inflammation, metabolic imbalance, and immune dysregulation, all of which contribute to the pathophysiology of HF. Cardiomyopathy, a primary disorder of the heart …

Synthesis And Study Of Stable Organic Radicals For Mri Contrast Agents And New Materials, Sabina Dhakal

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The first part of this dissertation focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of a thermally robust S =1/2 phototetrazolinyl monoradical and the development of synthetic methodologies for a high-spin (S = 1) phototetrazolinyl diradical. Electrochemical studies of the phototetrazolium cation (precursor to the monoradical) revealed a remarkably narrow electrochemical band gap (Ecell ≈ 0.82 V), suggesting promising electrical conductivity. Thermal analysis of the monoradical demonstrated excellent stability, with the onset of decomposition at 232 °C. Building on the excellent thermal stability and promising properties for electrical conductivity of the monoradical, we developed two condensation-based synthetic routes that provide viable …

African American Women And Blogs: The Allure Of Culture-Specific Beauty Blogs, Kalari Flotree

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The purpose of this qualitative, multi-case study was to explore the identity-related dress and appearance management implications of culture-specific beauty blog readership. The study was informed by three research questions: (a) Why and how do African American women seek out culture-specific beauty blogs? (b) What roles do African American women assume while engaging with culture-specific beauty blog communities? (c). How do African American women use culture-specific beauty blog content to inform identity-related processes of appearance management and dress?

The sample of this multiple-case study included nine participants, each representing a distinct case. Data were collected through individual, semi-structured, in-depth interviews, …

Public Perceptions Of Leadership Effectiveness In Ethiopia Over The Last Decade, Fikadu Reta Alemayehu

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Ethiopia is one of the largest countries in Africa, with a fast-growing economy, rich history, diverse agroecology, more than 70 languages, and a population exceeding 130 million. However, the country continues to face serious internal conflict, high malnutrition, and economic hardship, while the study of leadership effectiveness remains limited and lacks consistent longitudinal research. To help fill this gap, this study examined how public perceptions of leadership effectiveness and development outcomes changed in Ethiopia between 2013 and 2023, using Afrobarometer survey data. The analysis explored how citizens’ views about governance, wellbeing, and access to services evolved during a decade of …

Resources For The Beginning And Intermediate Jazz Educator: Reviews Of Modern Resources And Implementation In The Classroom, Bryan Canonigo

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This document is a compilation and discussion of different modern jazz education resources geared towards beginning and intermediate students. It is intended for the younger high school jazz educator who may have just started their careers and are searching for new(er) resources to aid their teaching and rehearsal techniques. For the seasoned high school jazz educator, this document may suggest additions to their current lesson plans and/or updates to their current resource compilations and rehearsal practices. A primary goal of this document is to suggest ideas to aid these educators in teaching jazz music more wholistically, in small or large …

Undergraduate Awareness Of Sexual Harassment Law In Tanzania's Higher Learning Institutions: Case Studies Of Two Universities, Salma Ramadhan Fundi Phd Candidate

Tanzania Journal of Sociology

This study examines undergraduate students' awareness of legal provisions and guidelines concerning sexual harassment in Tanzanian higher education, focusing on the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM) and the Open University of Tanzania (OUT) as case studies. Sexual harassment significantly impacts students’ well-being, safety, and academic success. Despite the existence of legal frameworks, students' knowledge of these provisions is often limited. The study employed a qualitative approach with a phenomenological research design to explore students’ experiences and perceptions of harassment policies. This design allowed participants to share the meanings they attach to their experiences and how such policies are understood …

The Role Of Peroxisomal Acot4 And Acot8 In Modulating Lipid Metabolism And Stress Pathways In Steatotic Hepatocytes, Sylwia Miekus

Department of Nutrition and Health Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is characterized by excessive lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and the development of lipotoxic stress that disrupts cellular homeostasis. Peroxisomal lipid metabolism plays an important role in maintaining acyl-CoA balance during fatty acid overload, yet the contribution of peroxisomal acyl-CoA thioesterases to early lipotoxic responses remains insufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the functional involvement of the peroxisomal enzymes acyl-CoA thioesterase 4 (ACOT4) and acyl-CoA thioesterase 8 (ACOT8) in hepatocyte lipid handling under acute lipotoxic conditions. An in vitro model of steatosis was established in AML12 cells through exposure to a …

The Persistence Of Homophobia In Men’S Friendship Norms, Sherrie Y. Xue, Stephanie C. Lin, Christilene Du Plessis

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Across five studies and one supplementary study (five preregistered; N = 3,215 adults), we found that men, more than women, avoided shared experiences (e.g., going to the movies, sharing food) with individuals of the same gender. Furthermore, persistent societal expectations that men should be unambiguously heterosexual underpinned this pattern: Men felt more apprehensive about signaling same-gender romance in platonic relationships than women did. In turn, romantic prototypicality drove the pattern of men (more than women) avoiding shared activities, above and beyond differences in how hedonic, enjoyable, and feminine the activities were; our findings further suggested that men’s reluctance to share …

(R2130) Cusum-Test For Unconditional Variance Change Detection In Bilinear Garch Models, Edoh Katchekpele, Abdou Kâ Diongue, Ben Célestin Kouassi

Applications and Applied Mathematics: An International Journal (AAM)

We examine CUSUM-type test for detecting changes in unconditional variance within Bilinear GARCH models. We derive the asymptotic distribution of the test statistic under both null and alternative hypotheses and assess test effectiveness in identifying single structural breaks. Simulation studies support our theoretical results and demonstrate the practical utility of the test.

The Effect Of Zakat Compliance On Institutional Performance Through Strategic Planning As A Mediating Variable: An Applied Study At The General Authority Of Zakat, Yemen, Ali Nasser Al-Ahnomi

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

This study aims to analyze the mediating role of strategic planning in the relationship between zakat compliance and institutional performance in the General Authority for Zakat in Yemen, filling a research gap in fragile environments (Bin-Nashwan et al., 2021; Bryson, 2018).  The study employed a quantitative descriptive-analytical approach using a questionnaire as a key tool which was distributed to all administrative and functional leaders in the Authority and its branch in the capital, Sana'a, totaling 515, thereby representing a comprehensive survey of the research community. A total of 417 questionnaires were received. However, 398 were valid for final statistical analysis. …

The Role Of Participative Leadership In Enhancing Strategic Foresight, Ali Mawat Al-Sudani, Hadeel Kadhm Saeed, Iftikhar Abdhussein Kataa

Journal of Economics and Administrative Sciences

Research diagnoses the role of Participative leadership in enhancing strategic foresight in the General Directorate of Education in the First Rusafa. To explain the influential relationships between the research variables and achieve the main objective of the research, a hypothetical model was developed in light of which a set of hypotheses were formulated. To test them, the researchers used the descriptive analytical approach to complete the research by using the questionnaire as a main tool for collecting data and information, which was distributed to the research sample, which included several managers (department manager and division officials) in the General Directorate …