Digital Commons Network^™

Instructional Fidelity In Virtual Flight: Applying A Structured Learning Model For Vr-Based Pilot Training, Lindsay Gouedy, Bryce Jarrell, Mary Fendley, Brandon Wolf

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

As immersive training technologies reshape the future of aviation education, this study explores the impact of integrating Virtual Reality (VR) into a structured instructional model for B-52 pilot training. With the development and implementation of the I-BUFF (Integrated B-52 Unit Flight Familiarization) model, an innovative framework built upon the 4C/ID (Four Component Instructional Design) and SEEV (Salience, Effort, Expectancy, Value) models, this research evaluates whether structured VR environments improve training transfer and accelerate task proficiency for in-air refueling tasks. A sample of 233 pilot trainees was assessed across three groups: traditional training (non-VR unstructured), VR semi-structured, and VR fully structured …

The Role Of User Experience In Virtual Reality Flight Training: A Comparison With Pc-Based Simulation, Tianxin Zhang, Christina M. Frederick, Barbara Chaparro

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

The current project explores how user experience (UX) in virtual reality (VR) flight simulation influences both cognitive learning outcomes and procedural skill acquisition when compared to traditional desktop-based simulation.. Using a quasi-transfer of training design, 48 student pilots were randomly assigned to VR, Desktop, or Control groups and trained on the Chandelle maneuver. UX was measured with the User Experience Questionnaire (UEQ), while training effectiveness was evaluated through a post-training knowledge test and recorded maneuver performance on a high-fidelity flight training device. Results indicated that the VR group reported significantly higher UX scores in Attractiveness, Stimulation, and Novelty, and showed …

Utilising Video Recordings To Assess Student Pilot Performance: An Exploratory Study During A Simulated Training Flight, Bradley Moncion, Shi Cao, Allison Lynch, Suzanne K. Kearns, Elizabeth Irving, Ewa Niechwiej-Szwedo

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

In ab initio flight training, the quality of the feedback a flight instructor provides their student is essential to their success. While other high-performance and safety-critical industries have incorporated the use of video recordings into training and assessments, the aviation industry generally has not. There are some studies addressing the potential benefits of video recordings in training professional pilots, but there is a lack of research at the ab initio level. In this study, five flight instructors assessed the performance of student pilots conducting a simulated training flight using a 4-point marking scale. The flights instructors were then tasked with …

The Human Toll Of Change: Reframing Fatigue As A Latent Risk In Aviation Human Factors, Stephanie Douglas

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

Aviation organizations are operating in an era of rapid, overlapping transformation that places continuous cognitive and emotional demands on personnel. Traditional aviation fatigue frameworks emphasize physiological mechanisms such as sleep loss, circadian disruption, and extended duty hours driving fatigue risk management systems. This conceptual paper introduces change fatigue: a psychological form of fatigue arising from cumulative, frequent, or poorly sequenced organizational change that depletes cognitive and emotional resources and undermines safety-critical performance. Drawing on stress and coping theory, the Job Demands–Resources (JD–R) model, the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS), and ICAO’s Human Performance Framework, it develops a multilevel …

Evaluation Of Tactile Cueing Embedded In An Aviation Headset On Pilot Altitude Control, Nicholas D. Wilson, Jessica Van Bree, Matthew Cleveland, Sunny Charakuru, Thomas Petros, Richard Ferraro, Kouhyar Tavakolian

Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research

This study evaluated the effectiveness of tactile cueing integrated into a pilot’s headset on pilot altitude control during simulated instrument conditions. Pilots typically rely on visual and auditory inputs to maintain situational awareness, but in high-workload or instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), these channels can become overloaded. One underutilized alternative for alerting is a tactile cueing apparatus. Using an X-Plane simulation of a Piper Archer equipped with a G-1000 avionics suite, 39 FAA-certified pilots flew two precision approaches. The experimental group (n = 20) received haptic cues via ear seal-embedded tactors when deviating from assigned altitude or glideslope. The control group …

New Trends In Banking And Financial Markets. Opening Remarks, Sylwia Frydrych

Journal of Banking and Financial Economics

New Trends in Banking and Financial Markets. Opening Remarks

The Implications Of Autonomous Vehicle Adoption For Parking Dynamics And Traffic Flow, Hamid Bagha

Staff Scholarship - Australia & Dubai

Parking dynamics directly influence land use and transportation efficiency. While conventional vehicles remain stationary for roughly 95% of their operational lifetime, private autonomous vehicles (AVs) can actively reposition themselves using strategies such as empty cruising, returning home, or seeking cheaper peripheral parking. This shifts space occupation from parking stalls to the active road network.

Using a high-fidelity microscopic simulation dataset for the City of Melbourne, this thesis examines the spatiotemporal trade-offs between parking dynamics and traffic flow across heterogeneous Traffic Analysis Zones (TAZs). Experimental results show that at a 30% AV adoption rate, alternative parking strategies decrease network-wide parking search …

Hydrogeophysical Assessment Of Groundwater And Saltwater–Freshwater Interface In A Quaternary– Neogene Coastal Aquifer, Kilwa Kisiwani Island, Southeast Tanzania, Simon R. Melchioly

Tanzania Journal of Science

This study aims to identify and explore new potential sites of groundwater resources using geophysical methods, and to demarcate the depth to the saltwater-freshwater interface. Kilwa Kisiwani Island is geologically covered mostly by Neogene and Quaternary alluvial sediments, sand and gravel. The geophysical techniques employed during the research include Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES), Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), and Transient Electromagnetics (TEM). The Island has the potential for groundwater occurrences, but the layer with fresh water is shallow and thin. Out of the 18 VES sites, 2 (11%) points have shown non-potential, but the remaining 16 (89%) of the VES sites …

Improving The Concrete Compressive And Flexural Strength With A Low Fraction Addition Of Carboxylated Nitro-Oxidized Cellulose Nanofibrils From Banana Rachis, Ngesa Ezekiel Mushi, Emmanuel Kagya

Tanzania Journal of Science

Conventionally, concrete strength depends on the bonding interface, especially in hydrated products such as calcium silicate hydrate (CSH). As a result, concrete is sensitive to tensile load. With its unique properties, a low fraction of carboxylated nitro-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (NOCNF) from the banana rachis is employed to improve the mechanical performance of the concrete nanostructurally. Compressive and flexural strength using the NOCNF content at 0, 0.05, and 0.1 wt.%, cured for 7 and 28 days, were evaluated. Notably, the compressive strength increased by 16 % and the flexural strength by 13 % at 0.1 wt.% NOCNF compared to plain concrete …

Simulated Versus Non-Simulated Imputed Data: A Comparison Of Handling Missing Data Techniques For Numerical Covariates, Rahibu A. Abassi, Rocky R.J. Akarro

Tanzania Journal of Science

Missing data poses a great challenge in much research, and if not appropriately handled, can negatively impact the analysis and bias the results and study conclusions. This article assesses the performance of numerous methods used to impute missing data by using Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) under various missing data proportions and two common missingness mechanisms, namely Missing at Random (MAR) and Missing Completely at Random (MCAR). RMSE values were used to judge the accuracy of imputation techniques using real data and across different simulation settings. The results showed magnitude of RMSE increased with increased proportions of missing data, regardless …

Staff Education To Nurses On Trauma-Informed Care, Lorna Sackey

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Many nurses receive little formal instruction about trauma-informed principles and their practical application in behavioral health settings. To address this practice gap, the project implemented a staff education program for staff at an intensive outpatient program (IOP) and a partial hospitalization program (PHP) located in a northeastern state. The aim was to increase staff knowledge and confidence in trauma-informed principles within clinical practice. The education program emphasized the relevance of trauma-informed care (TIC) in outpatient behavioral health settings, its principles, and its application in nursing assessments, therapeutic communication, and patient interactions. A pretest and posttest questionnaire consisted of 12 multiple-choice …

Exploration Of Black American Women's Lived Experiences With Structural Barriers In Human Resource Leadership Positions, Joyce Chimeziem Diala

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black American women’s marginalization in leadership roles, including in human resources (HR), remains a significant concern in U.S. workplaces. Organizations need to understand this concern as a leading indicator of systemic workplace barriers that may restrict opportunities for leadership advancement for Black American women and hinder organizational diversity efforts. The specific research problem was the limited understanding of the lived experiences of Black American women who face structural barriers to advancement in HR leadership positions. The purpose of this qualitative interpretative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Black American women in HR leadership positions. This study was …

Impact Of Ownership Change, Administrator Turnover, And Registered Nurse Turnover On Operational Outcomes In Nursing Homes, Tanveer Dhaliwal

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nursing homes frequently experience leadership and structural disruptions that affect facility performance. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study using archival data was to examine the extent to which ownership change, administrator turnover, and registered nurse turnover predict operational outcomes in U.S. nursing homes. Four Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) measures represented indicators of operational outcomes: (a) staffing rating, (b) rating cycle 1 total health deficiencies, (c) number of fines, and (d) total weighted health survey score. Resource dependence theory and transaction cost economics served as the theoretical foundation. Data from July 2025 CMS public files (N = …

Clinical Practice Guideline For Sepsis In Skilled Nursing Facility, Chinyere Okoroh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can rapidly lead to organ dysfunction, septic shock, and death if not recognized and treated early. Older adults in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) are especially vulnerable because of age-related physiological changes, chronic conditions, weakened immunity, and increased exposure to infections. Consequently, sepsis remains a major cause of hospital readmissions, mortality, and healthcare utilization among SNF residents. The SNF serving as the site for this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project experienced increased hospital readmissions associated with recurrent sepsis, highlighting the need for a standardized, evidence-based approach to sepsis recognition and management. The practice-focused question …

Linking Emotion Dysregulation To Autistic Traits Across Neurodiverse Samples, Rachel G. Mcdonald, Mary Isaac Cargill, Emily Lynch, Sadaf Khawar, Caroline Freden, Erin Kang

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Emotion dysregulation (ED) is defined as difficulty regulating emotions in response to activating situations, and subsequent difficulty choosing an environmentally appropriate strategy to modulate one’s emotions. Despite ED being identified as a transdiagnostic construct, little research has examined the links to constructs like social communication and interaction (SCI) and restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs). SCIs and RRBs are core components of neurodevelopmental conditions like autism, as well as other mental health conditions more broadly. This article sought to examine the effects of emotional dysphoria and emotional reactivity on SCI and RRBs. Caregivers of 99 youth (64 autistic) ages 6 to …

The Giant Antarctic Amphipod Paraceradocus Miersi Will Not Fare Well If Freshening Continues In The Southern Ocean, John I. Spicer, Simon A. Morley, Katie N.G. Thiessen, Lloyd S. Peck

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

Sea water provides a stable environment for marine animals. Most oceanic invertebrates have body fluids similar in ionic composition to sea water. However, Antarctic coastal ecosystems are increasingly exposed to freshening—a reduction in salinity driven by glacial melt, increased precipitation, and extreme weather events. Such changes can cause mortality in Antarctic invertebrates, which generally are intolerant to reduced salinity. This study investigated osmotic and ionic regulation of the Antarctic amphipod Paraceradocus miersi exposed to simulated freshening. When salinity was reduced (from S = 34.6 to 28.0) for 12–48 h, haemolymph osmolality and sodium concentration declined, while calcium remained stable; magnesium …

Post-Pandemic Telebehavioral Health: Sustaining And Regulating Remote Mental Health Care As A Core Modality, Weiqiao Dong

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

The United States continues to face a persistent mental health crisis after the COVID-19 pandemic, raising a policy question about the long-term role and regulation of telebehavioral health as a core modality of care. This thesis examines that question through a case study of New York State, an early center of the pandemic and a leader in telehealth policy reform.

Guided by the Health Policy Triangle framework, this thesis integrates longitudinal data from all 62 New York counties for 2010-2025 with a 2025 cross-sectional dataset covering 61 counties. Seventeen standardized indicators are organized into four dimensions: geographic, economic, demographic, and …

Integrating Transformative Social-Emotional Learning In The Orchestra Classroom Of Title I Schools, Amy Valena Ellington

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this historical, secondary, qualitative study was to explore the evolution of integrating transformative Social-Emotional Learning in the music classrooms of Title I schools. The aim was to determine which social and emotional skills have been taught in the music classroom, what barriers have been encountered in integrating SEL, and which assessment measures have been used to evaluate the effectiveness of SEL integration. The CASEL model was used because it supports ongoing critical analysis to ensure students’ social and emotional needs are met. Music educators are uniquely poised to provide instruction to students and equip them with essential …

The Lived Experiences Of Secondary Teachers In Supporting Literacy Growth Among Students In Secondary School: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study, Emanuel Arboleda

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of teachers in supporting literacy among secondary students at a suburban secondary school in Connecticut. The lived experiences of literacy limitations among students were generally defined as a lack of literacy resources or inconsistent literacy support across courses and grade levels. Bandura’s social cognitive theory guided this study, particularly regarding the cognitive, behavioral, and environmental experiences of teachers and their students’ literacy limitations. The Central Research Question was: What are the experiences of secondary teachers in supporting literacy growth among students? This transcendental phenomenological study on literacy …

A Quasi-Experimental Pilot Study On The Effects Of The Mindfulness Oriented Recovery Enhancement Program On Emotion Regulation In Individuals With Substance Use Disorders, Alex Rhodes

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Those with substance use disorders (SUDs) often display difficulties in emotion regulation, which contributes to addictive behaviors and relapse. The purpose of this quantitative quasi-experimental pilot study was to examine the effects of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement program (MORE) on difficulties in emotion regulation and emotion regulation strategies among individuals with substance use disorders. Specifically, the study examined whether participation in an 8-week MORE program resulted in changes in (a) difficulties regulating emotions, as measured by the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), and (b) emotion regulation strategies, as measured by the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ). Participants (N = 9) enrolled …

Predicting Marching Band Ratings In Nebraska: A Quantitative Analysis Of Socioeconomic Status And Geographic Variables, Michael T. Genslinger

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although the high school marching band has been a tradition in the United States for nearly a century, it is becoming increasingly rare in many rural areas. Despite economic barriers, some rural schools have overcome the challenges of their location and built successful instrumental music programs. Research on rural music education is vital because most new music educators in Nebraska will begin their careers teaching in rural schools. A quantitative study examined marching band performance in Nebraska, a highly rural state. The study reviewed NSBA State Marching Contest overall ratings from 2015 to 2024, along with a socioeconomic profile of …

The Influential Integration Of Emotional Intelligence And Discipleship: A Thesis For The Degree Of Doctor Of Ministry, Shawna R. Willis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The end goal of this research was to create a training guide manual that integrates discipleship and emotional intelligence to introduce and educate believers on how God made them through the collation of three well-known emotional intelligence tools: temperament, personality, and skill strengths. The three validated assessments were Arno Profile Assessment from the National Christian Counseling Association, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, and Gallup StrengthsFinder©. Participants completed five steps of intervention design that aimed to increase emotional intelligence with a final step of training that taught biblical tools and Scripture resources to manage emotions, make godly relational choices, and apply towards discipleship. …

Rural Veterans And Telemental Health: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Raymond D. Herr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how rural veterans in northern Florida and southern Alabama described their reasons for not using telemental health services to address their mental health issues and how technology use influenced their decisions. The study was informed by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), which identifies factors associated with technology acceptance and use, and was grounded in a patient-centered axiological framework. The study included 12 rural veterans who had either never used or had discontinued telemental health services. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and focus groups and …

Exploring Missouri Teachers’ Experiences Regarding Rti Support Teams Before A Special Education Referral: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Malinka L. Buchanan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study is to interpret the lived experiences of elementary classroom teachers on Response to Intervention (RTI) support teams as part of a special education pre-referral process within a public school in Missouri. I used purposeful and snowball sampling to select elementary teachers who have participated on an RTI support team. The theory guiding this study is Bruner’s constructivist theory, as it relates to both pre-referral interventions and support teams, with the idea that the learning process happens as people construct their knowledge through creating relationships to prior knowledge, practicing trial and error, and growing …

Timothy Baptist Church Of Amherst, Virginia, And Technology, Christopher L. Groom

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The contemporary local church faces a critical crossroads, challenged by a widening gap between traditional ministry approaches and today's digital-native world, resulting in decreased engagement and relevance. This research tackles the urgent issue of ecclesiastical stagnation in a highly connected society. When the local church and technology strategically unite, they can dramatically shift the church’s path from static tradition toward active, missional innovation. Embracing digital tools will transform preaching from a localized, one-dimensional event into a rich, multi-layered homiletic experience that enhances message impact and clarity. By intentionally using these tools, the church can reach a wider, more diverse audience …

Leadership And Emotional Well-Being: A Qualitative Case Study In Higher Education, Qasem Varzideh

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The emotional well-being of tenured faculty members, which can include stress levels, job satisfaction, morale, and mental health, has been shown to directly influence faculty retention, student outcomes, and institutional performance. Despite the considerable body of research on leadership and faculty well-being, few studies focus specifically on how leadership practices and administrative policies influence the emotional well-being of tenured faculty members at public colleges. This qualitative single-case study examined the impact of institutional leadership practices and administrative policies on the emotional well-being of tenured faculty members at a large, multi-campus, publicly funded college in the Southeastern United States. The study …

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion: A Culturally Responsive Pedagogy Phenomenological Study, Paul Bagsby Iv

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of K–12 STEM teachers as they cultivated inclusive and diverse classrooms in alignment with culturally responsive pedagogy (CRP). Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of learning guided the study. Purposeful sampling with maximum variation was used to recruit 10 secondary STEM teachers from public schools in Riverside County, Southern California. Data were collected through individual interviews, focus groups, and journal prompts and were analyzed using Colaizzi’s method. Seven themes emerged: CRP as an embedded and intentional practice; CRP as difficult but necessary work; student ownership as engagement; student reactions as …

Keepers, Surfmen, Wives, And Daughters: A Gender And Kinship Study Of The United States Life-Saving Service In North Carolina, 1874-1915, Tammy M. Woodward

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The Outer Banks of North Carolina is both a beautiful and dangerous place. Its region is filled with descendants of the Keepers and Surfmen who once manned the lifesaving stations that the federal government built along America’s coastlines. It is also home to one of the most dangerous stretches of American coastline known as the Graveyard of the Atlantic. The United States Life-Saving Service, established in 1871, was a government solution to the growing public outcry over the staggering number of deaths by shipwreck during the nineteenth century. While the Life-Saving Service has fostered a small but detailed historiography, its …

Fostering Musicianship Through Trumpet Pedagogy: A Qualitative Comparative Case Study Analysis Of Beginning Band Method Books, Michaela Brock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Despite the diversity of beginning band methods, their pedagogical approaches must be more consistent, particularly in developing musicianship among young trumpet players. This study examined the effectiveness of five beginning band method books (Essential Elements (2025), Habits of a Successful Beginner Band Musician, Tradition of Excellence, Sound Innovations, and Standard of Excellence) in fostering musicianship among young trumpet players by analyzing instructional strategies, content diversity, and alignment with developmental needs, ultimately providing valuable insights to enhance educational practices in music pedagogy for beginning trumpet players. This study employed a qualitative comparative case study research approach to identify perspectives on five …

A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Exploring The Psychological Distress Of Christian Black Women Who Experienced Parental Alienation As The Targeted Parent, Marcia Toller Leftwich

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of Christian Black women who experienced parental alienation as the targeted parent. Data collection was conducted via semi-structured interviews with Christian Black women who experienced a high conflict separation or divorce and experienced parental alienation. Thematic analysis was used to synthesize the data, identify patterns, and make meaning as it emerged from the participants’ narratives. The findings revealed that parental alienation is a complex phenomenon characterized by psychological distress, emotional devastation, identity disruption, relational harm, and spiritual transformation. Spiritual connection and reliance on faith were at the center …