Digital Commons Network^™

Summer Commencement: August 8, 2025, University Of North Dakota

UND Commencement Programs

UND Summer Commencement program from August 8, 2025.

The Influence Of Visualization Type And Gender On Multimedia Learning Performance: An Experimental Study, Ziji Wang

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The widespread availability of multimedia learning resources, driven by technological progress, presents both opportunities and challenges in education. While these resources, often designed with animations to aid learning, their effectiveness in learning across STEM and non-STEM fields remains controversial. Besides, researchers have increasingly turned their attention to understanding how individual learner characteristics such as gender and spatial ability influence effectiveness of multimedia learning.

This dissertation examined the impact of visualization type and gender on learning algorithms (STEM) and Chinese characters (non-STEM) after accounting for the effect of spatial ability, focusing on learning outcomes and cognitive load. The fact that males …

Demystifying The Discharge Coefficient For Flow Over Thin Weirs And Sills, Joseph E. Pugh, Subhas Karan Venayagamoorthy, Timothy K. Gates

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A revised derivation of the discharge coefficient for flows over thin weirs and sills in the limits of wall overflow to a free overfall is given. Using dimensional analysis, we show that the discharge coefficient, (Formula presented), in the classical weir-discharge equation is best understood as a weir Froude number, (Formula presented), which accounts for the combined effects of inertia, contraction and viscous energy losses within the flow field. A comprehensive set of experimental data from historical studies is complimented by new data from the authors, featuring both laboratory flume experiments and three-dimensional numerical simulations of weir flows. Synthesis of …

Narrative As Story And Ground: Toward A Dialogic Communication Theory Of Narrative Care, Preston Carmack

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

We live in a historical moment when a nuanced understanding of narrative as both ground and story is essential. In examining the work of two primary scholarly voices working with narrative and operating from a communicative lens, Walter R. Fisher and Ronald C. Arnett, this project lays a theoretical foundation for understanding the dialogic interplay of narrative as story and narrative as ground. Through tracing Fisher's and Arnett's contrasting interpretations of the work of Alasdair MacIntyre, a preeminent neo-Thomistic philosopher whose work has significantly contributed to the study of ethics and narrative construction of human rationality, coordinates related to telling …

Cover And Contents

Turkish Journal of Biology

No abstract provided.

Development Of Numerical Tools And Performance Metrics For Analysis Of Optical Particle Counters, Doug Webb

Theses and Dissertations

Monitoring air quality is essential for understanding and mitigating the health impacts of airborne particulate matter (PM), which is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Optical particle counters (OPCs) are widely used for air quality monitoring, yet their precision and accuracy remain uncertain due to inconsistent performance evaluations. In this thesis, performance metrics are developed that can be used to assess the accuracy of OPCs in measuring PM concentrations and size distributions. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are employed to analyze the behavior of particle-laden air streams through representative OPC models. The impact of design parameters is quantified using newly …

Ferdinand Rebay And The Sonata Paradigm, Luiz Mantovani

Soundboard Scholar

With an output of over thirty sonatas or sonata-structured works, Viennese composer Ferdinand Rebay (1880–1953) may be considered among the most significant composers of guitar sonatas; as yet, however, little has been written to place Rebay’s sonatas in historical context. Departing from a review of a guitar concert held in Vienna in 1925, which clearly indicates a shift in the perception of the instrument’s role and capabilities among mainstream audiences, I begin this investigation exploring the guitar club environment in German-speaking territories around the turn of the century, with a focus on the activities of the IGV (Internationale Gitarristenverband; International …

Implementing Strategies To Reduce Hospital Readmission Reduction Program Readmissions By Improving Discharge Planning In Nonprofit Hospitals, Joy Nwagboliwe Chukwu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Non-profit healthcare administrators in United States hospitals face the challenge of hospital readmissions, especially due to the CMS Hospital Readmission Reduction Program (HRRP), which affects reimbursement. The purpose and review question for this integrative review was to research evidence-based strategies that could be implemented to improve the discharge planning process in non-profit hospitals and reduce readmissions for patients with HRRP diagnoses. A review of literature identified 126 articles for analysis, with 25 studies selected for quality assessment using the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model and the Research Evidence Appraisal form. The Donabedian framework provided a structured approach for evaluating …

Dual-Function Polyester Nanoparticles For Amplified Anti-Inflammatory Effects, David Sheikh-Hamad, M N V Ravi Kumar, Meenakshi Arora

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

This study investigates a dual-acting drug delivery system using naringenin (NAR) as a folate receptor ligand to enhance intestinal uptake and encapsulated NAR for combating inflammation. The dual-acting systems were tested in vitro on cisplatin-induced human kidney-2 cells and in vivo in a mouse model of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). NAR-loaded passive nanoparticles [P2Ns(NAR)] and dual-acting systems [P2Ns-NAR(NAR)] showed notable advantages over unformulated NAR, reducing the required dose by up to 57 and 79%, respectively. These nanoparticles modulated immune responses, restored T cell function, and shifted macrophage polarization from proinflammatory M1 to tissue-repairing M2. In addition, P2Ns-NAR(NAR) alleviated AKI …

The Role Of Artificial Intelligence In Transforming Project Management In The Fashion, Selin Yapici

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

The quick adaptation of artificial intelligence (AI) is driving a significant revolution in the fashion. The use of AI in project management is still somewhat unexplored, despite its widespread adaptation in design, retail, and marketing. The impact of AI on project management procedures in the fashion industry is examined in this study, with a focus on striking a balance between operational effectiveness and creative freedom. The study is based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Industry 4.0, and Project Management Theory, which collectively offer a multi-theoretical perspective for comprehending the adoption and effects of AI. Examining fashion expert’s perspectives and …

Effects Of Risk Management Strategies On Project Delays In Aircraft Maintenance, Inkyu Lee

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

Aircraft maintenance delays create operational inefficiencies, increase costs, and reduce aircraft availability. These delays were often caused by poor planning, weak communication, and inconsistent risk identification. Previous research focused mainly on safety and compliance, with less attention given to how risk management affected project efficiency. This qualitative study looked at how structured risk management strategies could help reduce delays in aircraft maintenance projects. Data was collected through interviews with 12 professionals working in line and hangar maintenance. Each participant had at least five years of experience with risk-related tasks. The group included technicians, lead mechanics, a planner, and a manager. …

Exploring The Role Of Accessibility In Enhancing User Experience: Trends, Challenges, And Opportunities Across Digital Platforms, Adiba Khan

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

Accessibility was a fundamental aspect of enhancing user experience (UX) across digital platforms, ensuring equitable access to information and services for a diverse range of users, including individuals with visual, auditory, cognitive, or motor impairments. As digital products became increasingly central to education, commerce, and communication, the need for inclusive design grew. This study explored the intersection of accessibility and UX, with a specific focus on how accessibility-driven design improved usability, user satisfaction, engagement, and the overall quality of digital interactions. Grounded in Agile project management principles, the research examined how early integration of accessibility into the software development lifecycle …

Application Of Hybrid Agile-Waterfall In Digitization Of The Fashion Industry, Aashni Tulsian

Harrisburg University Dissertations and Theses

This qualitative study explored employee perceptions of hybrid agile–waterfall methodologies during a digital transformation at a luxury fashion company. Using the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) as a framework, the research examined how employees with limited exposure to agile frameworks understood, accepted, and anticipated their impact across creative, operational, and technical departments, focusing on perceived usefulness, ease of use, training, leadership support, and cultural fit. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals from merchandising, design, IT, logistics, and digital operations. Thematic analysis revealed limited familiarity with agile principles, moderate perceived usefulness, low ease of use, and widespread demand for contextualized training …

Effect Of Histidine Tag On The Enzymatic Activity Of Pseudolysin And Its Interaction With The Streptomyces Metalloprotease Inhibitor (Smpi) Protein, Adewale Adeboye Adewole

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Pseudolysin (PLN) protein is a major virulent factor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. PLN belongs to the family of zinc-dependent metalloproteases. It is naturally inhibited by a smaller protein called streptomyces metalloprotease inhibitor (SMPI), secreted by Streptomyces nigrescens. Previous and current studies demonstrate that the interaction between PLN and SMPI offers unique mechanistic insights for drug development against infections caused by P. aeruginosa. This study investigated the effect of N-terminal Histidine (His) tag on the enzymatic activity of PLN and its interaction with SMPI. His-tagged PLN and SMPI proteins were expressed in bacteria and purified by affinity chromatography …

Identifying The Experiences And Perceptions Of School Psychologists On Racial Disparities In Autism Spectrum Disorderidentifying The Experiences And Perceptions Of School Psychologists On Racial Disparities In Autism Spectrum Disorder, Anna Marie Paolicelli

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This paper investigates the experiences and perceptions of school psychologists who identify as experts in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) regarding racial and ethnic disparities in ASD identification. Utilizing a convergent embedded mixed-methods design grounded in Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR), the study explores how school psychology practices may have contributed to recent changes in ASD outreach and assessment, as well as persistent disparities, particularly for Black children with co-occurring intellectual disability (ID). Thirteen credentialed school psychologists with extensive experience in diverse educational and clinical settings participated in semi-structured interviews and binary survey items. Findings reveal perceived progress in ASD awareness and …

Assessing The Costs Of Constructed Floating Wetlands For The Treatment Of Surface Waters And Wastewater, John Awad, Christopher Walker, Declan Page, Muhammad Arslan, Sarah A. White, Terry Lucke, Simon Beecham, Ryan J. Winston, William H.J. Stonsnider, Phil Nicodemus, Chris Streb, John Van Leeuwen

Faculty Publications

The development of constructed floating wetlands (CFWs) as a nature-based solution for water treatment has progressed over the last 25 years. However, full-scale CFW adoption remains relatively limited due in part to the uncertainty regarding the costs of CFWs in terms of capital and operational expenditure (CAPEX and OPEX) and treatment capacity. This study reports on the costs of 11 international CFW schemes including the factors affecting CAPEX and OPEX and levelized costs of nitrogen and phosphorus removal. The estimated levelized CAPEX and OPEX ranged from US$15/m² to $2537/m² and from $0.5/m² y⁻¹ to $181/m² y⁻¹, respectively, for CFW schemes …

Effects Of Oil Spill Response Agents On Scleractinan Corals Acropora Cervicornis And Porites Divaricata, Austin Blakeslee

All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations

Coral reefs are biodiverse coastal ecosystems at risk of exposure to spilled oil; spills reaching shorelines can damage corals, mangroves, and many other species in nearshore shallow-water tropical environments. Efforts to remediate such spills have evolved over the years through the introduction of various chemical response agents that efficiently and effectively control the spread of oil. Chemical herding agents and dispersants, which can contain and control the oil spread, are promising additions to the spill response toolbox as potential alternatives to other response methods. These response agents are designed to be biodegradable and minimize potential harm to aquatic ecosystems. However, …

Development And Optimization Of Gradient Pore Structured Porous Ceramics: Modeling, Properties, And Potential For Industrial Production In Thermal Insulation Engineering, Gang Qi, Minghui Li, Ruoyu Chen, Haichuan Wang, Haiming Wen, Yi Ding, Xiaoyu Xia, Dixin Yan, Can Chen, Saisai Li

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This study prepared gradient pore structure ceramics from silica fume through direct foaming. The rheological behavior of the slurry was improved by varying the solids content. Physical and mathematical models were developed to describe the longitudinal movement of foam in the ceramic slurry and the mechanism of gradient pore formation. These models were used to predict the pore sizes at different heights within the ceramic. Insulation and mechanical properties were enhanced by optimizing the gradient pore structure. The gradient pore structure resulted in significant directional differences in specimen properties. Additionally, suitable sintering-temperatures for gradient pore structure ceramics are discussed. The …

Enhancing Adversarial Robustness In Convolutional Neural Networks By Integrating Human Viewing Strategies, Diana Velychko

Theses

Adversarial examples pose a serious threat to the reliability of deep neural networks by subtly manipulating inputs to induce incorrect outputs. Despite progress in the field, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) remain vulnerable to such perturbations. This research proposes a novel approach to improve adversarial robustness of CNNs by incorporating human viewing behavior into both training and testing processes. To establish a baseline for comparison with models trained from scratch, an eye-tracking dataset—collected during experiments involving novel objects from the Greeble dataset—was used to capture how humans learn to classify previously unseen object categories. This study compares model saliency with human …

Wear Of High Entropy Alloys: Understanding Effects Of Cryogenic Temperatures And Surface Nitriding On Wear Behavior, Aubrey Yu Tang

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Cryogenic tribological applications have become increasingly important with the development and innovation of advanced equipment in aerospace, polar regions, superconductivity, and more. Traditional lubrication methods are not viable under these harsh environments, so metallic materials must be able to maintain excellent mechanical properties and withstand the constant impact and wear alone. High entropy alloys (HEAs) have emerged as potential candidates for these applications because of their wide variety of excellent room temperature properties and apparent improvement of mechanical properties of some HEAs at extremely low temperatures. Despite their promising nature, very limited work has been done on understanding the wear …

Challenges In Modelling The Impact Of Frost And Heat Stress On The Yield Of Cool-Season Annual Grain Crops, Jonathan Richetti, Victor Oscar Sadra, Di He, Brenton Leske, Pengcheng Hu, Yacob Beletse, C. Mariano Cossani, Ha Nguyen, Bangyou Zheng, David Matthews Deery, M. Fernanda Dreccer, Jeremy Whish, Julianne Lilley

Grain and Other Field Crops Research Articles

Frost and heat events at critical growth stages could cause large yield losses. These temperature extremes are increasing in frequency and intensity due to climate change in many parts of the broadacre cropping regions globally, presenting challenges to food production. For cool-season grain-growing regions, where summers are already too hot, heat and frost risks can limit adaptation options. Capturing these stresses in crop models accurately is increasingly important for evaluating the timing, severity, and yield consequences of extreme events. However, most existing process-based models were not designed to simulate short-duration temperature extremes, limiting their ability to assess climate risk and …

Optimal Roof Strategy For Mitigating Urban Heat Island In Hot Arid Climates : Simulation And Python-Based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis, Rehab Alaa, Amira Elbalazi, Walaa S.E. Ismaeel

Architectural Engineering

No abstract provided.

In Grief We Need Each Other, Derek Schuurman

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

In the face of grief, human connections provide a far deeper comfort than new AI developments.

Effective Public Sector Information System Enterprise Cybersecurity Leadership Strategies, Christopher Adiele Orisakwe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Public sector organizations face increasing cybersecurity risks due to the growing complexity of digital infrastructure, expanding attack surfaces, and evolving threat landscapes. Despite the increasing risk, many Information Technology (IT) leaders continue to struggle with implementing comprehensive and sustainable strategies to protect information systems. Grounded in Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior, the purpose of qualitative pragmatic inquiry was to explore effective cybersecurity strategies IT leaders in the public sector use to protect organizations from cyberattacks, maintain public trust, and prevent financial losses. The project examined how attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control influence leaders’ cybersecurity practices. Data were collected …

Information Technology Industry Leaders’ Methods To Enhance Employee Job Performance, Helen Chioma Orisakwe

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many U.S. tech companies are grappling with the challenge of sustaining high employee performance. It's crucial for information technology (IT) executives and business leaders to adopt strategies that support high employee performance, as this is vital for fostering innovation, promoting staff well-being, and ensuring reliable service. Grounded in Bass and Avolio’s transformational leadership theory, this qualitative pragmatic inquiry sought to determine which leadership practices employed by experienced IT supervisors most effectively elevate employee performance. Purposive sampling was used to recruit seven IT organizational leaders with at least five years of supervisory experience and demonstrated success in performance-enhancing initiatives. Data from …

Causes, Consequences, And Countermeasures Of Military Coups In The Gambia, Alhagie A. Mbye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Military coups d’état remain a persistent threat to postcolonial African states, undermining democratic consolidation and institutional legitimacy. The Gambia, although historically regarded as a relatively stable West African nation, has experienced approximately 14 coup attempts since gaining independence from Great Britain in 1965. While military coups in Africa are well documented, much of the existing literature relies on broad regional frameworks that emphasize externalities such as foreign influence and geopolitical pressures rather than internalities such as national policy direction, and domestic governance challenges. The purpose of this qualitative case study is to address that gap by providing context-specific empirical research …

From Age Estimation To Age-Invariant Face Recognition: Generalized Age Feature Extraction Using Order-Enhanced Contrastive Learning, Haoyi Wang, Victor Sanchez, Chang Tsun Li, Nathan Clarke

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Generalized age feature extraction is crucial for age-related facial analysis tasks, such as age estimation and age-invariant face recognition (AIFR). Despite the recent successes of models in homogeneous-dataset experiments, their performance drops significantly in cross-dataset evaluations. Most of these models fail to extract generalized age features as they only attempt to map extracted features with training age labels directly without explicitly modeling the natural ordinal progression of aging. In this paper, we propose Order-Enhanced Contrastive Learning (OrdCon), a novel contrastive learning framework designed explicitly for ordinal attributes like age. Specifically, to extract generalized features, OrdCon aligns the direction vector of …

Meet The Fars: An Examination Of The Background, Roles, And Appointment Of Faculty Athletic Representatives At National Collegiate Athletic Association Member Institutions, Chris Corr, Christopher Atwater, Mark S. Nagel, Richard Southall, Rick Eckstein, Marek Taškár

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

As many National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) member institutions continue to engage in athletic centric decision-making processes, academic integrity and the campus experience for college athletes is often marginalized. Mandated by the NCAA to represent athletes’ academic interests, the faculty athletics representative (FAR) position is designed to occupy a central role in maintaining the primacy of academia among college athletes. FARs, however, exist within an institutional setting muddled by competing and contradictory logics. Accordingly, given the inherent juxtaposition between the operation of collegiate athletics and the stated role of FARs, the present study sought to examine the characteristics and positional …

Tax Clinic, William T. Diss

Tax Adviser

No abstract provided.

Leading Gen Z: The Connected Authentic Leadership Model, James Mitchell

The Scholarship Without Borders Journal

Generation Z is rapidly reshaping the global workforce, bringing with them new expectations for leadership grounded in authenticity, purpose, flexibility, technological fluency, and cultural intelligence. However, many traditional leadership models—such as transactional, servant, and even transformational leadership—only partially align with Generation Z’s needs. This study conducted a thematic analysis of 45 scholarly articles published between 2018 and 2024, identifying six leadership dimensions most valued by Generation Z: authentic transparency, servant-transformational focus, adaptive flexibility and inclusion, digital fluency, purpose-driven vision, and cultural intelligence. Based on these findings, the Connected Authentic Leadership Model (CALM) was developed to provide a holistic leadership framework …