Digital Commons Network^™

Improving Teacher Retention Within Archdiocese Of Washington Schools, Denise M. Ball

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this applied study was to solve the problem of teacher retention for the Archdiocese of Washington Schools and to design training to address the problem. Specifically, this study solicited input from teachers to help define and or identify (1) the need for teacher retention, (2) what type of school environment they work in, and (3) how a school environment affects teacher retention. Individual teacher and focus group interviews were conducted, and a survey was utilized for data collection and analysis. The measurement instruments captured data on target teachers regarding school environment/climate and job retention, specifically, years in …

Demonstration Of A Hybrid Electroabsorption Modulator/Photovoltaic Device For Space-Based Free Space Optical Communication And Power Generation, Emily Kessler-Lewis

Theses

The emergence of proliferated low-Earth orbit (pLEO) constellations using small satellites has resulted in significant interest in lowering the size, weight, and power (SWaP) of mission critical subsystems. III-V semiconductors are the class of materials typically used for photovoltaic (PV) arrays for satellites due to their exceptional efficiencies of upwards of 35 % and ability to be made thin, flexible, and lightweight. This is contrasted with the high SWaP communication system, which utilizes a radio frequency (RF) transceiver in order to communicate with a ground station. A lower SWaP alternative to the RF transceiver is to transmit data using free …

“Every Nation Except Our Own”: The Social Gospel, Anti-Immigrant Sentiments, And U.S. Foreign Policy, Andrea Darmawan

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

This thesis concerns the social gospel, a liberal Protestant movement that enjoyed its heyday in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. The thesis argues that the movement’s two most prominent figures, Washington Gladden and Walter Rauschenbusch, expressed an antipathy toward immigrants and a paternalistic attitude toward foreign nations and cultures. These attitudes then laid the foundation for contemporary anti-immigrant sentiments and US foreign policy. Gladden and Rauschenbusch’s rhetoric contains sentiments which act as a precursor to various elements of American exceptionalism, from missionary activity abroad to liberal attitudes toward the Middle East after 9/11. These links have …

The Prediction Of Grade Point Average From The Linear Combination Of Persistence Factors For Hispanic College Students, Laurel Lucy Mo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative predictive correlation study was to address the lack of research regarding the impacts of persistence factors on the educational outcomes of Hispanic college students. The study was a predictive correlation design with a criterion variable of grade point average (GPA). Predictor variables were the persistence factors of institutional commitment, degree commitment, academic integration, social integration, advising effectiveness, collegiate stress, financial strain, scholastic consciousness, academic efficacy, career integration, and academic motivation. The study setting was a two-year public community college serving a county with a population of 218,000 in Northern Arizona. A college persistence and academic …

A Phenomenological Study On Veterans’ Military Sexual Trauma And Its Impacts On Intimate Partner Relationships, Jaretta A. Buckholtz

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe active duty and military veterans’ experiences with intimate partner relationships after a sexually traumatic event. The theory guiding this study is attachment theory. Therapies such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and eye-movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), demonstrate they could help victims of military sexual trauma (MST) minimize the suffering of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), substance use disorder (SUD), and a host of other debilitating diseases that may have developed as the result of their MST, which could cause difficulties in their intimate partner …

Exploring The Relationship Between Self-Esteem, Financial Egocentrism, And Fraud Susceptibility In Cyber-Enabled Fraud Schemes Involving Crypto Assets, James Mcdowell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The propensity to exploit others for one’s own benefit is continuously exhibited by bad actors. Unfortunately, this sentiment holds true in emerging asset classes, such as crypto assets. As a result, it is surprising that current research on fraud susceptibility is approached in a binary way. Researchers examine either what makes an individual predisposed to victimization by bad actors or what factors influence one’s propensity to perpetrate fraudulent schemes. This study bridged this substantial gap in current research by investigating if specific psychological factors influence when, or if, an individual shifts between these two outcomes. The psychological factors incorporated into …

Third-Grade Students’ Poor Performance On The Math Section Of The Stanford Achievement Test At Chapel Hill Elementary School: An Instrumental Exploratory Qualitative Single-Case Study, Giovanny Guillermo Gaviria

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this instrumental exploratory qualitative single-case study was to explore the understanding of the principal, teachers, and parents related to the poor performance on the math section of the Stanford Achievement Test and the related factors of self-determination and self-efficacy of third-grade students in a private Christian elementary school in a city (pseudonym, Chapel Hill) in the Western United States. The theory guiding this study was Bandura's social cognitive theory, which is the foundation of self-determination theory, academic self-efficacy, and school-related parental monitoring. This case study contained a purposeful sample of ten participants (one principal, four teachers, and …

The Road To Armageddon: American Culture And Politics During The Late Cold War, 1970-1991, David Lee Denham Iii

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Bible prophecy has long engaged the American mind. By the late Cold War, Biblical prophecy increasingly shaped the political beliefs of millions of Americans within the evangelical community. The group most impacted were dispensationalist Christians who interpreted the Atomic Age through the lens of end-time prophecies. Dating as far back as the seventeenth-century, American colonists living on the frontier of the British empire in North America embraced millennialism and, at times, interpreted current events through the lens of Bible prophecy while anticipating the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the Battle of Armageddon. Through the centuries, Bible prophecy became a …

Exploring The Impact Of Cultural Event Attendance On Undergraduate Students' Perceived Sense Of Community At A Dual-Mission University, Post Covid: A Predictive Correlational Study, Jared Stephenson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative predictive correlational study was to determine how accurately a sense of community (the criterion variable) can be predicted from cultural event attendance (predictor variable) for undergraduate students at a dual-mission university, post-COVID. This study is grounded in the Sense of Community Theory and is significant to students and other higher education stakeholders in determining where to focus efforts regarding student involvement that promotes a sense of community. This research utilized the Sense of Community Index-2 to gather data through a convenience sampling method, recruiting 84 participants from a large dual-mission university in the western United …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Linkage Between Chinese Students’ Undergraduate Experiences In The U.S. And Their Career Choices And Planning, Lin Reed

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study was to discover Chinese alumni’s perceived learning and the impacts of their undergraduate studies in the United States on their career goals and preparation. Using Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory and Knowles’ theory of andragogy as a theoretical framework, this study helped answer the central research question: How do Chinese students’ undergraduate experiences in the United States affect their career choices and planning? Sub-questions have further explored the participants’ relationship to academic and social engagement in college. The purposeful sampling included 10 Chinese students who have studied in the United States, received an undergraduate …

Exploring 21st Century Learning In Virginia Secondary School Technology And Engineering Classrooms: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, George Nicholas Cornwell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine how integrative STEM teachers utilize the Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy (STEL) to foster and assess 21st-century learning in technology and engineering classes at multiple Virginia public secondary schools. The theory guiding this study was Kolb’s experiential learning theory, which integrates nine learning theories into an innovative cyclical learning process that is like the engineering design loop. This hermeneutic phenomenology included 15 Virginia technology and engineering schoolteachers (Grades 6-12) who purposefully taught multiple academic disciplines and utilized the eight practices of the STEL in the context of their curriculum to …

Faculty Perceptions Of Professional Growth After Course Design Collaboration With An Instructional Designer: A Phenomenological Study, Althea Anita Streater

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study had the objective of examining the experience of faculty subject matter experts in higher education as they collaborated with instructional designers to develop online learning courses at a college in the northeast United States. The theory guiding this study was Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy. The central research question was: What are the SME reflections on their previous pedagogical and instructional skills, and what growth, if any, can be identified after the course design process? Additional questions examined the faculty's perspective on their past and present pedagogical knowledge. The study took place at a four-year private college …

A Qualitative Study Of A Stepfather’S Perceptions Of Their Role In A Successful Second Marriage In A Blended Family, Kathy Barbee Thornton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study aimed to comprehensively understand the unique perspective of remarried men as stepfathers within the context of second marriages in blended families. The research delved into the lived experiences of these individuals to shed light on their roles, challenges, and contributions to the dynamic of blended households. By applying Bowen’s family systems theory (FST) to the constructs relevant to blended families, this study offers a resource to the professional counseling community and support for blended families facing various issues. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews focused on the stepfather’s role and responsibilities within the blended family structure. The narratives …

Rab1a Haploinsufficiency Phenocopies The 2p14-P15 Microdeletion And Is Associated With Impaired Neuronal Differentiation, Jonathan J Rios, Yang Li, Nandina Paria, Ryan J Bohlender, Chad Huff, Jill A Rosenfeld, Pengfei Liu, Weimin Bi, Kentaro Haga, Mitsunori Fukuda, Shayal Vashisth, Kiran Kaur, Maria H Chahrour, Michael B Bober, Angela L Duker, Farah A Ladha, Neil A Hanchard, Kristhen Atala, Anas M Khanshour, Linsley Smith, Carol A Wise, Mauricio R Delgado

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Hereditary spastic parapareses (HSPs) are clinically heterogeneous motor neuron diseases with variable age of onset and severity. Although variants in dozens of genes are implicated in HSPs, much of the genetic basis for pediatric-onset HSP remains unexplained. Here, we re-analyzed clinical exome-sequencing data from siblings with HSP of unknown genetic etiology and identified an inherited nonsense mutation (c.523C>T [p.Arg175Ter]) in the highly conserved RAB1A. The mutation is predicted to produce a truncated protein with an intact RAB GTPase domain but without two C-terminal cysteine residues required for proper subcellular protein localization. Additional RAB1A mutations, including two frameshift mutations and …

A Human Factors Approach To Improve Layout Design For A Virtual Reality-Based Training Platform, Md Humaun Kobir, Taufiq Rahman, Yiran Yang, Shuchisnigdha Deb

SAGE Open Access Agreement Publications-Archive

In manufacturing industries, equipment arrangement, and layout design are critical factors that directly influence productivity, workplace safety, and workers’ performance. Link analysis, as a human factors approach, has been widely used in industries for many years to improve layout design and machinery arrangement. This approach considers humans' physical and cognitive capabilities and movement limitations to find an optimal design. Virtual reality significantly impacts our society from product design to worker training. Hence, effective virtual training platforms require the same attention to layout design as manufacturing work settings which offer efficient testing of multiple layouts. This research focuses on developing a …

Comparison Of Methods For Estimating Instantaneous Turn Radius Of Ackermann Steering Vehicles, Kenneth Gennaro Stutts

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The instantaneous turn radius of an Ackermann steering vehicle is the distance to a point in space about which the vehicle will travel in an arc during a turn. There are at least six ways to estimate instantaneous turn radius and each method uses different inputs and has distinct advantages and disadvantages. In this thesis, six different methods will be used to estimate the instantaneous turn radius of a vehicle traveling on a closed circuit. This testing will clarify similarities and differences between the methods. This thesis clarifies which method will be the most appropriate for a given set of …

A Series Of Improved And Novel Methods In Computer Vision Estimation, James J. Adams

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, findings in three areas of computer vision estimation are presented. First, an improvement to the Kanade-Lucas-Tomasi (KLT) feature tracking algorithm is presented in which gyroscope data is incorporated to compensate for camera rotation. This improved algorithm is then compared with the original algorithm and shown to be more effective at tracking features in the presence of large rotational motion. Next, a deep neural network approach to depth estimation is presented. Equations are derived relating camera and feature motion to depth. The information necessary for depth estimation is given as inputs to a deep neural network, which is …

Interfacial Properties Of Hybrid Lipid-Polymer Bilayers: Applications In Drug Delivery And Biosensors, Keith L. Willes

Theses and Dissertations

Amphiphilic block copolymers are unique macro-molecules capable of self-assembling into bilayers analogous to naturally occurring lipid membranes. When combined with lipids, these copolymers form hybrid membranes with unique and sometimes unpredictable properties, including increased chemical and mechanical stability. These synthetically enhanced biological structures represent a versatile platform suitable for a wide range of applications, from advanced biosensing devices to drug delivery systems. The realization of these advancements necessitates a deep understanding of material properties, including the ability to predict and control interfacial behaviors. It has been shown that in the case of pure lipid membranes, interfacial behaviors are dominated by …

Effectiveness Of Intelligent Transportation Systems On Utah Roadways, Matthew Cline Davis

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents the findings of a comprehensive research study conducted for the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) to evaluate the effectiveness of commonly deployed Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) treatments in Utah, with a focus on Variable Message Signs (VMS), traffic cameras, and Road Weather Information System(s) (RWIS) sites. The study aimed to determine the impact of these ITS treatments on mobility and safety for Utah's unique road conditions and configurations. Three primary analyses were performed: a diversion rates analysis to assess the effectiveness of VMS on Utah freeways during incidents; a weather analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of VMS …

Advancements In Levitated Optomechanics: Exploring Plasmon-Enhanced Light-Matter Interactions In Optical Trapping, Siavash Mirzaei Ghormish

Theses and Dissertations

Optical trapping of metallic nanoparticles investigates phenomena at the interface of plasmonics and optical micromanipulation. This thesis combines ideas from the optical properties of metals, originating in solid-state physics, with the force mechanisms resulting from optical trapping. I explore the influence of enhanced light-matter interaction due to the plasmon resonances of gold particles on their trapping properties. I present theories for trapping mechanisms of gold metallic particles and then verify these theories through experiments. Optical trapping of metallic nanoparticles is considered challenging, especially in air, as they are highly absorbing and reflecting at optical wavelengths. Yet the optical levitation of …

Shop & Speak: The Hottest Eye-Phone App On The Market, Angelo N. Ledonne

Honors Capstones

In the U.S, approximately 20 million individuals (8% of the population) are partly or completely visually impaired. This disability makes some everyday tasks such as reading, writing, shopping, traveling, etc., difficult. But, with the advancement of technology over the past few decades, design products and software have been created that help level the playing field for those in need. The only hurdle that still exists today is the cost and availability of these products, leaving many affected individuals with very little or no assistance in their everyday lives. This project was inspired by my grandmother’s disability. She was born with …

Ai-Based Digital Image Dietary Assessment Methods Compared To Humans And Ground Truth: A Systematic Review, Eleanor Shonkoff, Kelly Copeland Cara, Xuechen Pei, Mei Chung, Shreyas Kamath, Karen Panetta, Erin Hennessy

Health Sciences Faculty Publications

Objective: Human error estimating food intake is a major source of bias in nutrition research. Artificial intelligence (AI) methods may reduce bias, but the overall accuracy of AI estimates is unknown. This study was a systematic review of peer-reviewed journal articles comparing fully automated AI-based (e.g. deep learning) methods of dietary assessment from digital images to human assessors and ground truth (e.g. doubly labelled water).

Materials and Methods: Literature was searched through May 2023 in four electronic databases plus reference mining. Eligible articles reported AI estimated volume, energy, or nutrients. Independent investigators screened articles and extracted data. Potential sources of …

Ai In Higher Education And Research, Leo Lo, Laura J. Hall

Biomedical Informatics Seminar Series (BioMISS)

Description:

Artificial Intelligence holds great promise for higher education from helping students learn more efficiently to entering the job market better prepared for the future. It’s also transforming the way in which faculty conduct research. This session of the BioMISS seminar series will focus on AI trends and explore application in research.

Learning Objectives

1. Learn about how generative AI is being integrated into higher education, with some specific examples from initiatives at the University of New Mexico (UNM).
2. Gain a greater understanding of generative AI capabilities and limitations.
3. Insight into the importance of critically assessing information produced by AI …

The Causal-Comparative Analysis Of Academic Performance Of High School Students With And Without Disabilities In The Face-To-Face And Online Educational Settings, Marina V. Clayton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this non-experimental causal-comparative study was to determine whether there is a statistically significant difference in the academic performance of high school students with and without disabilities who received math instructions in face-to-face and online educational settings during the 2020-2021 school year. During that year, educational establishments worldwide transitioned from traditional face-to-face to online delivery mode, complying with the social distancing requirements due to the COVID-19 pandemics. The current study employed a convenience sample that consisted of 588 high school students from Georgia. Participants took the Georgia Milestones End-of-Course Test in Algebra I in the spring of 2021 …

The Relationship Between Multicultural Counseling Competency And Spiritual Competency, Jeffery Edmiston

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Strategies For Reducing Employee Turnover In The Construction Industry, Daniel Lee Brewster

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Biophysical Factors Affecting Habitat Suitability For Crassostrea Virginica, Jason D. Tilley

Dissertations

Oyster reefs provide a variety of important ecosystem services. However, the mortality rate of eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica, the dominant species that produces oyster reefs in the northern Gulf of Mexico, is increasing at an alarming rate due to a variety of abiotic and biological factors. I examined how biophysical factors, including the less-studied fatty acid profiles of the suspended particulate matter on which oysters feed, influenced morphometric condition of C. virginica.

I sampled suspended particulate matter (SPM) and oysters in-situ in the western Mississippi Sound, which historically supported the majority of oyster production in Mississippi waters. Sampling …

Measuring Gas Discharge In Contact Electrification, Hongcheng Tao, James Gibert

Purdue University Libraries Open Access Publishing Fund

Contact electrification in a gas medium is usually followed by partial surface charge dissipation caused by dielectric breakdown of the gas triggered during separation of the surfaces. It is widely assumed that such discharge obeys the classical Paschen’s law, which describes the general dependence of the breakdown voltage on the product of gas pressure and gap distance. However, quantification of this relationship in contact electrification involving insulators is impeded by challenges in nondestructive in situ measurement of the gap voltage. The present work implements an electrode-free strategy for capturing discrete discharge events by monitoring the gap voltage via Coulomb force, …

Analysis And Simulation Of Nuclear Thermal Energy Storage Systems For Increasing Grid Stability, Jaron Wallace

Theses and Dissertations

With the growing capacity of renewable energy production sources, nuclear energy, once a mainstay of power generation, faces challenges due to its limited adaptability to fluctuating energy demands. This inherent rigidity makes it less desirable than the more flexible renewable sources. However, integrating thermal energy storage (TES) systems offers a promising avenue, enabling nuclear power plants (NPPs) to enhance their operational flexibility and remain competitive in an evolving renewable market. A comprehensive ranking methodology has been introduced, delineating the criteria and processes to determine the most synergistic TES/NPP design couplings. This methodology considers the unique characteristics of both current and …

The Cowl - V. 88 N. 25 - December 7, 2023

The Cowl

The Cowl - student newspaper of Providence College. Vol. 88 No. 25 - December 7, 2023. 24 pages.