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“Raise Your Keffiyeh:” Headdress As A Lens For Understanding The Arab Revolt In Mandatory Palestine, 1936-1939, Kathryn Kf Butler May 2025

“Raise Your Keffiyeh:” Headdress As A Lens For Understanding The Arab Revolt In Mandatory Palestine, 1936-1939, Kathryn Kf Butler

All Theses

In the fall of 1938, approaching the apex of the most intensive period of violence during the Arab Revolt against the British government in Mandatory Palestine (1936-1939), a seemingly unassuming change occurred for Arab men in cities throughout the region: they donned a new headdress. Sartorial shifts in the early post-Ottoman period were not unique to Palestine. During the Interwar period, changes in male headgear occurred throughout the greater Middle East in Turkey, Afghanistan, Iran, Syria and Iraq, to name a few. These transformations of dress signaled a shift in something either societal or political and oftentimes both. I argue …


Displacement And Dreams: The Loss Of Home In A New South Town, Dora Helen Impson May 2025

Displacement And Dreams: The Loss Of Home In A New South Town, Dora Helen Impson

All Theses

Despite much research regarding the experience of white city dwellers of Greenville, South Carolina, in the twentieth century, telling the stories of the city’s Black neighborhoods still remains to be done. This thesis chronicles the Black neighborhood of Little Texas, which was found northeast of the city’s central business district from its inception in the 1870s to its demise in the 1970s. By situating the city’s efforts to restrict and limit Black spaces within the historical framework of nationwide efforts of residential segregation ordinances, racially restrictive covenants, and city planning, this thesis argues that Greenville followed many other cities in …


"All The Songs I Stole": Ballad Collection And The Conditions Of Collective-Making In Johnny Cash's Prison Concert-Albums, Camryn J. Bruce May 2025

"All The Songs I Stole": Ballad Collection And The Conditions Of Collective-Making In Johnny Cash's Prison Concert-Albums, Camryn J. Bruce

All Theses

In the mid-to-late twentieth century, singer-songwriter Johnny Cash recorded and released three live prison concert-albums composed of many ballads and songs drawing upon a ballad tradition. I question the degree to which these albums, as performed and commercialized ballad collections, create realities of unity between Cash and his audiences. Reviewing three ballads for their aspects of balladry and performance, this thesis finds that Cash’s albums echo and make echoes of isolating conditions and possible collectivities, demonstrating a fragility of “folk” in the shifting scenes of music and prison.


Privacy Implications Of Data Collection In Android Automotive Os, Bulut Gözübüyük May 2025

Privacy Implications Of Data Collection In Android Automotive Os, Bulut Gözübüyük

All Theses

Modern vehicles have become sophisticated computational and sensor systems, as evidenced by advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), in-car infotainment, and autonomous driving capabilities. They collect and process vast amounts of data through various onboard subsystems. One significant player in this landscape is Android Automotive OS (AAOS), which has been integrated into over 100 million vehicles and has become a dominant force in the in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) market. With this extensive data collection, privacy concerns have become increasingly crucial. The volume of data gathered by these systems raises questions about how this information is stored, used, and protected, making privacy a …


“I Have Returned Home”: Understanding The Re-Entry Experience Of Saudi Female Scholars After Completing Their Doctoral Studies In The United States, Hajer Asiri May 2025

“I Have Returned Home”: Understanding The Re-Entry Experience Of Saudi Female Scholars After Completing Their Doctoral Studies In The United States, Hajer Asiri

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The experiences of Saudi female scholars returning from abroad remain underexplored. This study investigates how Saudi women in higher education institutions readjust and reintegrate into professional and cultural environments after completing doctoral studies in the United States. Using a narrative approach informed by transformational learning theory (TLT), it examines reverse culture shock and the coping mechanisms employed by these women. Five female participants from various Saudi institutions were interviewed in semi-structured sessions lasting 30 to 60 minutes. Thematic analysis revealed five key themes: Cultural Readjustment, Professional Reintegration, Family and Social Dynamics, Personal Transformation, and Coping Strategies. The findings underscore the …


Temporal Dynamics Of Bmp/Nodal Ratio Drive Tissue-Specific Gastrulation Morphogenesis, Alyssa A Emig, Megan Hansen, Sandra Grimm, Cristian Coarfa, Nathan D Lord, Margot Kossmann Williams May 2025

Temporal Dynamics Of Bmp/Nodal Ratio Drive Tissue-Specific Gastrulation Morphogenesis, Alyssa A Emig, Megan Hansen, Sandra Grimm, Cristian Coarfa, Nathan D Lord, Margot Kossmann Williams

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Anteroposterior elongation of the vertebrate body plan is driven by convergence and extension (C&E) gastrulation movements in both the mesoderm and neuroectoderm, but how or whether molecular regulation of C&E differs between tissues remains an open question. Using a zebrafish explant model of anteroposterior axis extension, we show that C&E of the neuroectoderm and mesoderm can be uncoupled ex vivo, and that morphogenesis of individual tissues results from distinct morphogen signaling dynamics. Using precise temporal manipulation of BMP and Nodal signaling, we identify a critical developmental window during which high or low BMP/Nodal ratios induce neuroectoderm- or mesoderm-driven C&E, respectively. …


Misconceptions Among Mental Health Treatment Providers About Ocd And Ptsd, Caitlin M Pinciotti, Gabriella T Ponzini, Gianna M Colombo, Carmen P Mclean, Terri L Fletcher, Natalie E Hundt, Lauren P Wadsworth, Nathaniel Van Kirk, Stephanie Y Wells, Jonathan S Abramowitz, Wayne K Goodman, Eric A Storch May 2025

Misconceptions Among Mental Health Treatment Providers About Ocd And Ptsd, Caitlin M Pinciotti, Gabriella T Ponzini, Gianna M Colombo, Carmen P Mclean, Terri L Fletcher, Natalie E Hundt, Lauren P Wadsworth, Nathaniel Van Kirk, Stephanie Y Wells, Jonathan S Abramowitz, Wayne K Goodman, Eric A Storch

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) share overlapping features for which similar cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT) strategies can be employed. However, the comorbid presence of these conditions poses unique clinical considerations, and a nuanced approach to assessment, conceptualization, and treatment is needed when working with individuals with co-occurring OCD and PTSD. Treatment providers may not be aware of these nuances and may hold misconceptions about co-occurring OCD and PTSD, impacting their approach to assessment, conceptualization, and treatment. The current study sought to examine possible misconceptions among mental health treatment providers of differing specializations. Among 146 primarily CBT-oriented treatment …


Expert Consensus For Key Components Of A High-Quality Ventral Hernia Repair Operative Note, Jonathan S Lall, Said Maldonado, Nicole B Lyons, Gina Adrales, Karla Bernardi, Anne P Ehlers, Hobart Harris, Julie Holihan, William Hope, Jeffrey E Janis, Michele Loor, Clayton Petro, Luke Putnam, Caroline E Reinke, John Scott Roth, Christopher Senkowski, Kendell Sowards, Shirin Towfigh, Daniel Dante Yeh, Zuhair Ali, Mike K Liang May 2025

Expert Consensus For Key Components Of A High-Quality Ventral Hernia Repair Operative Note, Jonathan S Lall, Said Maldonado, Nicole B Lyons, Gina Adrales, Karla Bernardi, Anne P Ehlers, Hobart Harris, Julie Holihan, William Hope, Jeffrey E Janis, Michele Loor, Clayton Petro, Luke Putnam, Caroline E Reinke, John Scott Roth, Christopher Senkowski, Kendell Sowards, Shirin Towfigh, Daniel Dante Yeh, Zuhair Ali, Mike K Liang

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: Ventral hernia repair (VHR) is one of the most commonly performed procedures by surgeons; however, there remains a lack of consensus for key components of operative reporting. Prior literature has identified several key elements that are recommended for inclusion in ventral hernia repair operative notes, but it is unclear whether these details alone make for a high-quality operative note. This study sought to determine whether experts agree on what factors make a ventral hernia repair operative note high-quality.

Study design: A prospective exploratory sequential survey-based mixed-methods design was used for round 1. Conclusions via thematic analysis from survey responses …


Bile Acid And Microbiome Interactions In The Developing Child, Mary Elizabeth M Tessier, Benjamin L Shneider, Joseph F Petrosino, Geoffrey A Preidis May 2025

Bile Acid And Microbiome Interactions In The Developing Child, Mary Elizabeth M Tessier, Benjamin L Shneider, Joseph F Petrosino, Geoffrey A Preidis

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Interactions between the gut microbiome and bile acids are complex and are linked to outcomes in pediatric liver disease by mechanisms that are incompletely understood. In adults, primary bile acids are synthesized in the liver and secreted into the intestine, where complex communities of gut microbes deconjugate, oxidize, epimerize, and 7α-dehydroxylate bile acids into a diverse array of unconjugated, secondary, allo-, iso-, and oxo-bile acids. In contrast, the infant gut microbiota contains a simple, Bifidobacterium-dominant community that transitions to a more diverse, adult-like community as additional microbes colonize the gut. This microbial succession gradually confers deconjugation, oxidation, epimerization, and 7α-dehydroxylation …


Recommendations For Design, Execution, And Reporting Of Studies On Experimental Thoracic Aortopathy In Preclinical Models, Alan Daugherty, Dianna M Milewicz, David A Dichek, Ketan B Ghaghada, Jay D Humphrey, Scott A Lemaire, Yanming Li, Ziad Mallat, Yvan Saeys, Hisashi Sawada, Ying H Shen, Toru Suzuki, Zhen Zhou May 2025

Recommendations For Design, Execution, And Reporting Of Studies On Experimental Thoracic Aortopathy In Preclinical Models, Alan Daugherty, Dianna M Milewicz, David A Dichek, Ketan B Ghaghada, Jay D Humphrey, Scott A Lemaire, Yanming Li, Ziad Mallat, Yvan Saeys, Hisashi Sawada, Ying H Shen, Toru Suzuki, Zhen Zhou

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

There is a recent dramatic increase in research on thoracic aortic diseases that includes aneurysms, dissections, and rupture. Experimental studies predominantly use mice in which aortopathy is induced by chemical interventions, genetic manipulations, or both. Many parameters should be deliberated in experimental design in concert with multiple considerations when providing dimensional data and characterization of aortic tissues. The purpose of this review is to provide recommendations on guidance in (1) the selection of a mouse model and experimental conditions for the study, (2) parameters for standardizing detection and measurements of aortic diseases, (3) meaningful interpretation of characteristics of diseased aortic …


The Impact Of Social Media On Dietary Choices Among Young Adults, Celeste Martin May 2025

The Impact Of Social Media On Dietary Choices Among Young Adults, Celeste Martin

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background and aims: For decades, the field of nutrition has been influenced by advertising, fad diets, and celebrity endorsements, often leading to confusion. Social media has introduced a new level of influence, potentially leading to more misinformation about health and nutrition. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook may serve as a primary source of news and information for young adults, drastically changing how nutrition advice is shared. Research suggests that social media can positively and negatively impact people’s views on health and nutrition, such as a poor relationship with food and a negative body image. This study aimed to …


The Effect Of Childhood Emotional Abuse On The Mental Health Of Latinx Adults, Leslie Castro, Yoceline Valle May 2025

The Effect Of Childhood Emotional Abuse On The Mental Health Of Latinx Adults, Leslie Castro, Yoceline Valle

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Background: Childhood emotional abuse is a severe form of maltreatment that can be as damaging as more visible kinds of abuse. It is defined as any action or inaction by a caregiver that hinders a child's emotional development. This type of abuse can take the form of humiliation, belittlement, rejection, or neglect, leaving lasting emotional scars. Objective: This study proposes to better understand the long-lasting effects of childhood emotional abuse by investigating the connections between the degree of emotional abuse and ensuing mental health issues. Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, this study proposes to gather quantitative data on the …


Metastatic Medulloblastoma Remodels The Local Leptomeningeal Microenvironment To Promote Further Metastatic Colonization And Growth, Namal Abeysundara, Alexandra Rasnitsyn, Vernon Fong, Alexander Bahcheli, Randy Van Ommeren, Kyle Juraschka, Maria Vladoiu, Winnie Ong, Bryn Livingston, Pasqualino De Antonellis, Michelle Ly, Borja López Holgado, Olga Sirbu, Shahrzad Bahrampour, Hyun-Kee Min, Jerry Fan, Carolina Nor, Abhirami Visvanathan, Jiao Zhang, Hao Wang, Lei Qin, Ning Huang, Jonelle Pallotta, Tajana Douglas, Esta Mak, Haipeng Su, Karen Ng, Kevin Yang Zhang, Craig Daniels, Calixto-Hope G Lucas, Charles G Eberhart, Hailong Liu, Tao Jiang, Faiyaz Notta, Vijay Ramaswamy, Jüri Reimand, Marco Gallo, Jeremy N Rich, Xiaochong Wu, Xi Huang, Michael D Taylor May 2025

Metastatic Medulloblastoma Remodels The Local Leptomeningeal Microenvironment To Promote Further Metastatic Colonization And Growth, Namal Abeysundara, Alexandra Rasnitsyn, Vernon Fong, Alexander Bahcheli, Randy Van Ommeren, Kyle Juraschka, Maria Vladoiu, Winnie Ong, Bryn Livingston, Pasqualino De Antonellis, Michelle Ly, Borja López Holgado, Olga Sirbu, Shahrzad Bahrampour, Hyun-Kee Min, Jerry Fan, Carolina Nor, Abhirami Visvanathan, Jiao Zhang, Hao Wang, Lei Qin, Ning Huang, Jonelle Pallotta, Tajana Douglas, Esta Mak, Haipeng Su, Karen Ng, Kevin Yang Zhang, Craig Daniels, Calixto-Hope G Lucas, Charles G Eberhart, Hailong Liu, Tao Jiang, Faiyaz Notta, Vijay Ramaswamy, Jüri Reimand, Marco Gallo, Jeremy N Rich, Xiaochong Wu, Xi Huang, Michael D Taylor

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Leptomeningeal metastases are the major source of morbidity and mortality for patients with medulloblastoma. The biology of the leptomeningeal metastases and the local tumour microenvironment are poorly characterized. Here we show that metastasis-associated meningeal fibroblasts (MB-MAFs) are transcriptionally distinct and signal extensively to tumour cells and the tumour microenvironment. Metastatic cells secrete platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) ligands into the local microenvironment to chemotactically recruit meningeal fibroblasts. Meningeal fibroblasts are reprogrammed to become MB-MAFs, expressing distinct transcriptomes and secretomes, including bone morphogenetic proteins. Active bone morphogenetic protein signalling and co-implantation of tumour cells with MB-MAFs enhances the colonization of the leptomeninges …


Population Dynamics, Life History Characteristics, And Environmental Drivers Of Neomysis Americana In The Damariscotta River Estuary, Allison Fogg Ms '25 May 2025

Population Dynamics, Life History Characteristics, And Environmental Drivers Of Neomysis Americana In The Damariscotta River Estuary, Allison Fogg Ms '25

All Student Scholarship

Mysid shrimp (Neomysis americana) play a pivotal role in estuarine food webs by linking primary producers to higher trophic levels and serving as an important food source for commercially valuable fish. Despite their ecological significance, mysids are often under sampled, leading to gaps in our understanding of their population dynamics and life history traits. My study investigated N. americana over a full year (June 2023 to May 2024) in the temperate Damariscotta River Estuary in Maine. My research focused on how environmental factors such as temperature, turbidity, salinity, chlorophyll-a, and zooplankton biomass affect mysid density and reproduction. Temperature emerged as …


Additively Manufactured Dic Patterns For Extreme Environments And The Emerging Technology Impact On The Licensing Of Nuclear Reactors, Kaelee Ann Novich May 2025

Additively Manufactured Dic Patterns For Extreme Environments And The Emerging Technology Impact On The Licensing Of Nuclear Reactors, Kaelee Ann Novich

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

At the end of 2023, countries from the United Nations Climate Change Conference announced to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050. The United States makes up approximately 30% of the world’s nuclear capacity; however, only 19% of the energy generated in the Nation is from nuclear power plants. Majority of nuclear reactors are over 40 years old, resulting in reactor closures and no new ones being built. Accordingly, it will be impossible to triple nuclear capacity in the next 25 years by relying on only existing reactors. The nuclear fleet must expand to include advanced reactors to meet energy demand …


A Democracy In Question: Policy Failures, Institutional Weakness, And Bangladesh’S Evolving Global Standing, Omme Habiba May 2025

A Democracy In Question: Policy Failures, Institutional Weakness, And Bangladesh’S Evolving Global Standing, Omme Habiba

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Democracy in Bangladesh has fluctuated since its independence, shaped by governance failures, institutional weaknesses, and socioeconomic factors. While the country has experienced economic growth, challenges such as electoral irregularities, judicial inefficiency, and corruption continue to undermine democratic stability. Despite these issues, Bangladesh's global democracy rankings present mixed trends, raising questions about the relationship between economic development, inequality, and governance. This study examines how policy failures and institutional weaknesses influence Bangladesh’s democracy rankings and explores the role of income inequality, using Frederick Solt’s SWIID dataset. A mixed-methods approach integrates quantitative analysis of democracy indices, economic indicators, and regression models with qualitative …


The Evolution Of India’S ‘Counter-Terrorism (Ct)’ Policy In The 21st Century, Mule Rohit Ashok May 2025

The Evolution Of India’S ‘Counter-Terrorism (Ct)’ Policy In The 21st Century, Mule Rohit Ashok

Journal of Terrorism Studies

The changing nature of modern terrorism has proved a major threat to the global security architecture. The 9/11 terrorist attack on the United States of America, the world's ‘Police State’, is apparent. Consequently, the international community launched collective fights at different levels to deal with it. However, the nation-state at the individual level also designed a ‘Counter-Terror (CT)’ policy mechanism within the scope of the foreign policy paradigm to safeguard national security. India, since its independence, has consistently faced security challenges from terrorism from its neighbours, and has followed the same suit. The major CT policy was grounded in the …


Exploring The Dark Horizon : Artificial Intelligence (Ai) As Cyberterrorism Tools, Krisnayanto Krisnayanto, Suryadi Suryadi May 2025

Exploring The Dark Horizon : Artificial Intelligence (Ai) As Cyberterrorism Tools, Krisnayanto Krisnayanto, Suryadi Suryadi

Journal of Terrorism Studies

This Journal utilizes a thorough literature review approach to explore the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential use as a tool for terrorism. With the rapid advancement of AI technologies, there is a growing concern about their possible misuse by terrorist groups. This study extensively examines existing research, policy documents, and expert opinions and investigates the complex connections between AI and terrorism. The literature review delves into historical examples, current case studies, and emerging trends to clarify the various ways in which AI could be employed for harmful purposes by terrorist organizations. By analyzing recruitment strategies, communication …


The Supreme Court's Specious Code Of Conduct, James J. Sample May 2025

The Supreme Court's Specious Code Of Conduct, James J. Sample

Cardozo Law Review

Congressionally imposed ethics enforcement would enhance the Supreme Court's exercise of constitutional powers by reducing the interference of improper personal motives during its factual and legal determinations. The Court has long recognized the self-evident truth that "no man can be a judge in his own case." The Framers recognized the limits inherent in human nature: humans are not angels. Accordingly, the Constitutional scheme of separated powers, as elucidated by Madison, "[does] not mean that these departments ought to have no partial agency in, or no control over, the acts of each other." Congress rightly has the constitutional means and motive …


An Unfair Chance For The Formerly Incarcerated: Yim V. City Of Seattle And The Commercial Speech Doctrine, Emilee Kaminski May 2025

An Unfair Chance For The Formerly Incarcerated: Yim V. City Of Seattle And The Commercial Speech Doctrine, Emilee Kaminski

Cardozo Law Review

Formerly incarcerated persons face disproportionately challenging barriers to housing upon reentry; criminal records are used as a basis to deny otherwise suitable prospective tenants. In 2017, the City of Seattle passed the "Fair Chance Housing Ordinance," prohibiting landlords from relying on criminal history when evaluating prospective tenants. In 2023, the Ninth Circuit struck this provision down on the grounds that this complete ban violated Seattle landlords' constitutionally protected free speech rights. The circuit court held that the ordinance implicated commercial speech and failed to pass intermediate scrutiny review under the four-part test outlined in Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. …


Airlines, Sick Time, & Interstate Commerce: The Dormant Commerce Clause And Its Impact On State And Municipal Paid Sick Leave Laws, Zachary Mcgarry May 2025

Airlines, Sick Time, & Interstate Commerce: The Dormant Commerce Clause And Its Impact On State And Municipal Paid Sick Leave Laws, Zachary Mcgarry

Cardozo Law Review

The United Statesis the only industrialized nation lacking a universal paid sick leave law that guarantees employees the right to time off from work to attend to their own or their family's medical needs. Nonetheless, many states and municipalities have created their own paid sickleave laws to fillin the gap left open by the federal government. Following the passage of three state referendums on paid sick leave laws in the 2024 general election, there are now eighteen states, plus the District of Columbia, which mandate that employers provide employees with paid sick leave. Although there continues to be a growing …


From Manuscripts To Monopsonies: Revisiting United States V. Bertelsmann Se & Co. Kgaa, Matthew Petrouskie May 2025

From Manuscripts To Monopsonies: Revisiting United States V. Bertelsmann Se & Co. Kgaa, Matthew Petrouskie

Cardozo Law Review

United States v. Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA is a unique antitrust case that has reframed decades of precedent. In November 2020, Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA ("Bertelsmann"), the parent company of PRH, announced its plan to acquire S&S from its parent company, Paramount Global ("Paramount'). This announcement positioned the merged entity ("S&S + PRH") to control a third of the book market, the largest market share held by a publishing house. The following year, the Department of Justice Antitrust Division ("DOJATR") sued to block the merger. In United States v. Bertelsmann SE & Co. KGaA, the DOJATR's case …


The Impact Of Islam In The History Of Catholic Evangelization In Northwest Nigeria, Shichet Nache May 2025

The Impact Of Islam In The History Of Catholic Evangelization In Northwest Nigeria, Shichet Nache

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Abstract

Today, Nigeria is home for both Christians and Muslims. Before the arrival of Christianity and Islam in Nigeria, there was the indigenous African Traditional Religion (ATR). The different cultures, tribes, or ethnic groups in Nigeria had different modes of worship and religious practices in the light of this African Traditional Religion. Today, many Nigerians are either Muslims or Christians. Christianity and Islam have now dominated African Traditional Religion. Trade played a significant role in the transportation and establishment of Islam and Christianity in Nigeria. Northern Nigeria began to have contact with Islam between the ninth and eleventh centuries, while …


Advancing Research On Retinitis Pigmentosa: An Investigation Of Natural History, Visual System Plasticity, And Mutation-Independent Treatment., Cecilia A. Attaway May 2025

Advancing Research On Retinitis Pigmentosa: An Investigation Of Natural History, Visual System Plasticity, And Mutation-Independent Treatment., Cecilia A. Attaway

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited retinal disease characterized by rod and then cone photoreceptor degeneration. ~25% of cases are caused by a genetic mutation that results in autosomal dominant RP (adRP). There has been a lack of exploration of the progression of degeneration in adRP models. In Chapter Two, I examined visual acuity (VA) changes, retinal structure, and function from early to late-stage disease in a murine P23H Rho ‘knock-in’ mouse model (RhoP23H/+), the most common form of adRP in North America. To establish a natural history, I evaluated behavioral VA, using the visual water task, …


“Souls Cannot Rest In Contested Places”: An Ethnographic Case Study And Archeological Environmental Assessment Of The North Shore Cemeteries., Henrietta K. Ransdell May 2025

“Souls Cannot Rest In Contested Places”: An Ethnographic Case Study And Archeological Environmental Assessment Of The North Shore Cemeteries., Henrietta K. Ransdell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an ethnographic case study and archeological-environmental assessment of the North Shore Cemeteries to derive condition commentary and care recommendations for the landscape, cultural resources, descendant community, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Framed by theories of space-place culture, dispossession, and public lands co-management, this multi-methods, interdisciplinary thesis combines historical context, environmental conditions, archeological documentation, participant observations, and ethnographic interviewing of NPS and community affiliates to derive applied strategies for cemetery repair, operational efficacy, and this specific, public lands “co-management” relationship. With data from 12 interviews, eight participant observations, and six condition assessment surveys, it’s argued that perceptions …


Achieving Racial Equity In An Urban School District: Historical Conditions, Critical Policy Analysis, And Community Perspective., Whitney Taylor May 2025

Achieving Racial Equity In An Urban School District: Historical Conditions, Critical Policy Analysis, And Community Perspective., Whitney Taylor

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the development and impact of the Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS) Racial Equity Policy through a historical analysis and the perspectives of African American community leaders. The study explores how systemic inequities, rooted in a legacy of racial discrimination, continue to shape the educational experiences of Black students within JCPS. Drawing on archival research and interviews with key community figures, it evaluates the policy’s intended role in dismantling structural barriers and the community’s cautious optimism regarding its effectiveness. Findings highlight persistent disparities in educational access and outcomes, emphasizing the enduring influence of deep-rooted biases and limitations of …


New Bayesian Methods For Longitudinal Data Analysis With Complex Dependence Structures., Anish Mukherjee May 2025

New Bayesian Methods For Longitudinal Data Analysis With Complex Dependence Structures., Anish Mukherjee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Longitudinal data in real-world settings are frequently found to be heterogeneous and exhibit intricate spatio-temporal dependence structures. Analyzing such complex data to obtain reliable estimation while quantifying uncertainty necessitates using sophisticated Bayesian methodology. In this work, we present novel Bayesian methods developed to address these challenges. We often observe heterogeneity in longitudinal data, where the mean and variance for certain profiles meaningfully differs from the rest. Some profiles may also exhibit outliers at a limited number of measurements. Using a standard mixed effects model, which assumes homogeneity, can lead to overestimating the residual variance and inefficient estimation. In this work, …


"I Never Really Saw Anybody That Looked Like Me In A Book": A Positioning Theory Analysis Of Preservice Teachers' Critical Reflections., Melissa Lee Zipper May 2025

"I Never Really Saw Anybody That Looked Like Me In A Book": A Positioning Theory Analysis Of Preservice Teachers' Critical Reflections., Melissa Lee Zipper

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative case study is to understand how preservice teachers develop their criticality within a semester long undergraduate course focused on children’s literature. This study addresses a well-documented practical knowledge gap in education research: although preservice teachers claim to understand the importance of a culturally relevant and sustaining curriculum, they do not know how to effectuate that curriculum when it comes to their future classrooms. Using Positioning Theory as a theoretical lens and an analytical tool, the study explores how preservice teachers position themselves in relation to developing their criticality through participation in a course curriculum purposefully …


From Slaveship To Championship: Pan-Africanism, The Black Atlantic, And Reframing The Rumble In The Jungle., Garret S. Mccorkle May 2025

From Slaveship To Championship: Pan-Africanism, The Black Atlantic, And Reframing The Rumble In The Jungle., Garret S. Mccorkle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The “Rumble in the Jungle” is often remembered as Muhammad Ali’s triumphant return to boxing glory, yet its deeper historical and cultural context remains understudied. This thesis reframes the 1974 heavyweight championship in Zaire as a global spectacle shaped by Pan-Africanism and Paul Gilroy’s theory of the Black Atlantic. More than a fight, it was a performance of Black identity, unity, and cultural return. However, this work argues that these themes—though deeply meaningful to many—were also strategically deployed by figures like Don King and Mobutu Sese Seko for promotional and financial gain. Through an analysis of marketing materials, fighter personas, …


Concurrently Implementing Islam And Democracy In Afghanistan: Failure Causes And Future Prospects., Mohammad Riaz Nassiry May 2025

Concurrently Implementing Islam And Democracy In Afghanistan: Failure Causes And Future Prospects., Mohammad Riaz Nassiry

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Islam and democracy have been widely considered incompatible, especially in Muslim-majority countries. This thesis, with a contextual focus on Afghanistan, looks into the failure of the concurrent implementation of Islam and democracy in that country. The thesis takes a nuanced perspective and proposes a theory in which institutions (laws and regulations) and education play a prominent role in consolidating Islam and democracy. The research employs a mixed-method research design, with an aim to explore the influence of constitutional design and public education in shaping democratic outcomes within Islamic contexts. The findings reveal that Afghanistan’s constitution and laws were broadly compatible …