Digital Commons Network^™

The Dual Factor Model: Comparing Predictive Validity Of Different Informant Variations On Academic And Mental Health Outcomes, Kim Keller

Theses and Dissertations

The Dual Factor Model (DFM) of mental health conceptualizes well-being and psychopathology as distinct but interrelated constructs. Unlike traditional models that focus solely on psychopathology, the DFM incorporates positive attributes such as subjective well-being, allowing for a more meaningful classification of students (Greenspoon & Falkofske, 2001; Suldo & Shaffer, 2008). Despite its increasing use in school-based research, prior studies have lacked intention in informant selection when assessing internalizing and externalizing behaviors, leading to variability in DFM construction. Given known discrepancies among self, teacher, and parent reports in mental health assessment, informant choice may significantly impact classification and predictive validity (De …

All Angry Youth Are Not The Same: A Latent Profile Analysis Of The Anger Regulation And Expression Scale, Natasha Toralba Kostek

Theses and Dissertations

This study identified youth subgroups with distinct dysfunctional anger patterns using an exploratory latent profile analysis (LPA) procedure. The analytic samples were derived from an archival sample of 10- to 17-year-olds (N = 1,348) who completed the Anger Regulation and Expression Scale (ARES; DiGiuseppe & Tafrate, 2011), a narrowband standardized measure of anger and aggression in youth. The study aimed to (a) verify whether previously identified clinical and subclinical Subjective, Expressive, and Combined Anger Types found in adult and youth samples would manifest in this dataset and (b) identify subtypes within these categories to clarify internalized and externalized anger patterns …

Working Harder, Or Working Faster? Novel And Working Memory Task Validity For Inidividuals With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Jacqueline Anne Hilbert

Theses and Dissertations

Imagine having a disorder where you are predisposed to score a year below average on examinations for your age (Lawrence et al., 2020). This is the frustrating reality for individuals with ADHD. This life-long neurodevelopmental disorder impacts people's functioning in their everyday lives, including standardized task performance. However, it is possible that individuals with ADHD may actually present advantages in tasks that require the ability to release taxing cognitive processes, such as proactive cognitive control. This question has not been examined before and may shed light on the interpretation of ADHD individuals’ performance on standardized tests and tasks. To this …

Opening Pandora’S Black Box In The Nexus Of Media, Consciousness And Ai, Gad Karmi

Theses and Dissertations

This research examines the intersection of media, artificial intelligence, and consciousness through an ethnographic analysis spanning 1940-2024. The study introduces the concept of "Darrative" as a framework for understanding how consciousness processes information, challenging traditional rational choice theory while extending beyond Fisher's narrative paradigm. A key contribution is the development of the "Thinking System" model, demonstrating how information processing occurs through darrative frameworks. The methodology employs Latour's actor-network theory to examine how scientific knowledge is constructed and stabilized through networks of human and non-human actors. Using a systematic Boolean search through academic databases, the study initially identified 15 relevant peer-reviewed …

Extracurricular Activity Involvement As A Protective Factor For Adolescent Delinquency For Youth Exposed To Parental Alcohol And/Or Drug Dependency, Faith Ippoliti

Theses and Dissertations

The present study investigated whether extracurricular involvement in adolescence serves as a protective factor against adolescent delinquency for youth exposed to parental alcohol and/or drug dependency in early childhood. While previous research has established parental substance use as a risk factor for adolescent delinquency, less is known about whether extracurricular activities moderate this association. The present study included a subsample of 3,251 youth (n = 1,662 boys, 1,589 girls) from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS), a probability sample of births in large US cities (> 200,000) between 1998 and 2000. Parental alcohol and/or drug dependency was …

Classroom Dialogue About Race And Racism: Teachers’ Experiences As They Navigate Divisive Waters, Claire Hollocou

Theses and Dissertations

In the past few years, the way teachers handle race and racism in the classroom has come under scrutiny (First Book, 2023; Schwartz, 2024). Even though there is scholarly evidence to suggest that learning about and discussing race and racism is beneficial to students and student learning outcomes (Gay, 2018; González et al., 2006; Hammond, 2014; Paris & Alim, 2014), teachers are confronted with restrictions referencing how they can and should engage in lessons and conversations about race and racism. Many perspectives have been expressed on this topic, but placing the voices of teachers at the center of the discussion …

The Impact Of Career And Technical Education Programs On Hispanic High School Graduation, José M. Fernández

Theses and Dissertations

his quantitative correlational research study investigated the impact of Career and Technical Education programs on the graduation rates of Hispanic high school students. Specifically, this study discussed the challenges our Hispanic students face in our public school system regarding access to quality education that prepares them to graduate and be college and career ready. The study relied upon Kolb's experiential learning theory model, which divides the learning experience into four modes. 1. Concrete experiences 2. Passive reflective observation 3. Abstract conceptualization 4. Active Experimentation. According to Kolb & Kolb (2005), experiential learning theory and real-life learning in the context of …

Positive Family Intervention For A Spanish-Speaking Family Of A Child With Autism: Impact On Child’S Behaviors And Parental Cognitions And Stress, Iris Garza

Theses and Dissertations

The present study investigated the effects of a culturally and linguistically adapted Positive Family Intervention (PFI) on child behavior as well as parental stress and beliefs for a Spanish-speaking family of a child with autism. PFI combines Positive Behavior Support (PBS) to teach parents the skills to manage their child’s behavioral challenges with Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help parents manage their own thoughts and feelings. An AB single-case design was used to examine the impact of PFI on directly observed child behavioral challenges and adaptive behavior. Further, parent-reported stress, parental attributions, and parent-reported child behavioral challenges were examined pre- and …

Identity And Object: The Material And Cultural Exchanges Of Northwest Indian Mercantile Communities In The Seventeenth Century, Erum Khan Hadi

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation proposes a world-historical approach to Northwestern Indian cultural exchanges in the seventeenth century, focusing on the impact of trade and migrations in the Indian Ocean World (IOW) on the identity of mercantile communities in the region. There is a lack of research on the cultural history of these Northwestern Indian communities, which were prominent in the seventeenth-century commercial IOW. The current gap between economic and cultural histories can be addressed through research that analyzes commodities as symbols of culture and identity. The study aims to translate the cultural history of Northwestern Indian communities through material culture via objects …

Adsorption And Recovery Studies Of Cadmium And Lead Ions Using Biowaste Adsorbents From Aqueous Solutions, Liang Feng

Theses and Dissertations

The use of low-cost biowaste adsorbents for the removal of toxic metal ions from aqueous solutions offers significant environmental benefits and demonstrates strong potential. This study evaluated luffa peels and chamomile flowers as low-cost biosorbents for the adsorption and recovery of Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions in both batch and column modes. To enhance adsorption capacity, the biosorbents were treated with 0.4 M HNO3 or 0.4 M NaOH. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characterization showed that surface OH, C=O, CO and COO groups played a role in the adsorption process. Batch adsorption studies indicated an order of adsorption capacity as follows: …

Our Morality Or Your Morality? An Exploration Of The Influence Of Group Membership On Moral Judgment And The Moderating Influence Of Theory Of Mind, Phoebe Flora Dadson

Theses and Dissertations

The present study explores the interaction between social group membership and moral judgment in decision-making. This interaction is also assessed through the moderating value of Theory of Mind (TOM), encompassing both affective and cognitive empathy. This research hypothesizes that 1) there is an association between TOM and decision-making in morality, 2) group membership, expressed as adherence to political ideology, influences moral judgment, 3) a higher frequency of utilitarian choices in other beneficial moral dilemmas is expected to be correlated with a stronger association with political group ideals. The sample population is comprised of college students at St. John’s University (N …

Neurophysiological Indices Of Lexical Tone Processing In Children With Different Language Background, Andres Felipe Diaz

Theses and Dissertations

The development of lexical tone processing in children is shaped by both language experience and acoustic salience. While mismatch responses (MMRs) and late negativity (LN) components of event-related potentials (ERPs) have revealed early sensitivity to lexical tone in monolingual children, the timeline for achieving adult-like neural responses—particularly for acoustically distinct versus subtle tone contrasts— remains unclear. Moreover, little is known about how bilingual language experience, especially with tonal versus non-tonal home languages, modulates this neural processing. This study employed a passive multi-oddball paradigm using Mandarin Tone 3 (low dipping) as the standard, and Tone 1 (high level) and Tone 2 …

The Beliefs And Attitudes Held By High School Students On Emoji Usage For Communication, Stacy Bonano

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, phenomenological study explored the attitudes and beliefs of high school students regarding emoji use and its impact on their communication with others. Despite the prevalence of emoji use among adolescents, limited research has examined how students interpret and apply these visual symbols. Eleven high school students from Dutchess County, New York, participated in in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using the theoretical frameworks of semiotics and constructivism to interpret how the students assigned meaning to emojis. Key findings identified emojis as emotional amplifiers, tone clarifiers, and tools of efficient communication. Participants also noted challenges related to misinterpretation and generational …

Hyper Segregation And Poverty: An Examination Of The Historical Forces That Shape The Academic Self-Concept Of African-American High School Students 1900 To 2000, David Byer-Tyre

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this historical qualitative study was to identify the historical consequences of segregation, racism, and poverty on African Americans residents of Hempstead Long Island, and how these phenomena shaped contemporary Black students’ academic self-concepts. Among the issues that purportedly afflict American public education are the low academic achievements of African-American students in what might be termed “inner suburban” schools. The history of how Black communities and school were created and sustained was examined through a historical review of Black education in America, and a comparative analysis of the oral histories of fourteen graduates of Hempstead High school between …

Understanding The Inequities Of Academic Programs And Student Achievement In Post-Covid New York State, Erwin Bernal

Theses and Dissertations

The Covid-19 pandemic revealed the reality of learning loss which caused an extended period of online and hybrid learning. Questions about socioeconomic inequities between school districts also manifested. Through the guidance of the theoretical frameworks of John Rawls’ Theory of Justice nd the Hanover Research Toolkit for Systemic Implementation of Equity, this non-experimental study compared the demographics, academic programs, opportunities, and instructional practices of school districts at various socioeconomic levels in New York State. The methods used for this study included simple and multiple linear regressions. The study found that students who are economically disadvantaged, students with disabilities, needs resource …

Unraveling The Roots: A Historical And Sociocultural Perspective Of Family Literacy Practices And Parent Involvement In Black Communities Through A Critical Lens, Tasean D. Baldwin

Theses and Dissertations

Family literacy plays an essential role in a child's educational journey by laying the foundation for their academic success and shaping their attitudes toward learning. Social and cultural factors influence the value of literacy and education within families and communities. In Black communities, literacy has significant social and cultural influences, acting as a tool for resistance, empowerment, cultural preservation, identity formation, community building, and social and economic mobility while also historically facing obstacles due to systemic and institutional racism, which continues to impact access to education, resources, and opportunities today. This qualitative study explores the relationship between home and school …

Analysis And Authentication Of An Optical Method For Early Detection Of Harmful Algal Blooms, Cody Schumacher

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The proliferation and frequency of harmful algal blooms (HABs) attributed to eutrophication, storm events and a changing climate have been an increasing concern in both lotic and lentic freshwater ecosystems. Methods of detecting HABs have been explored through fluorescent measurement and sample analysis, but are often expensive and time-consuming. A novel smart device application is in development to detect HABs based on images captured and analyzed by machine learning algorithms trained to distinguish potential cyanobacterial blooms. The HABs App model accurately detected cyanobacteria in strong relationship with biovolume concentrations (R² = 0.996) within the Greenup Pool of the Ohio …

Flagrant Fouls: The First Amendment, Legal Speech, And Attacks On Law Firms And The Rule Of Law, Raymond H. Brescia

Nevada Law Journal Forum

This Essay explores the Trump Administration’s unprecedented campaign targeting major U.S. law firms for retribution and examines such actions in light of the First Amendment’s relationship to these actions. Drawing on historical and doctrinal analyses, the Essay introduces and defends the concept of “legal speech” as a critical cluster of First Amendment protections encompassing the rights of lawyers to speak, associate, petition, and advocate on behalf of clients in an unfettered way and without government retaliation. Executive actions against Covington & Burling, Paul Weiss, Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, Jenner & Block, and Susman Godfrey purport to revoke security clearances, bar access …

How To Teach History: What Lessons The International Community Can Learn From Post-1949 Taiwanese Educational Policy, Holden Tsai

2025 Claremont Colleges Library Undergraduate Research Award

This project began with a personal question: what was the story behind the Chinese textbooks my mother used to teach me as a child? Unlike my peers, I learned Mandarin using Taiwanese textbooks that were passed down from my grandparents. These books—written under martial law and Kuomintang (KMT) rule—contained passages glorifying Chiang Kai-shek and vilifying Communists. As I entered Pomona College, my past questions sparked a deeper investigation into the educational policy of Taiwan. With mentorship from Pomona faculty and librarians, I began archival research using historical Taiwanese teaching guidelines owned by the Claremont Colleges’ Special Collections. I then pursued …

Diamond In The Rough: A Century Of Education And Democracy At Deep Springs College, L. Jackson Newell

Eastern Sierra History Journal

Deep Springs College, one of the great innovations in American higher education, is the subject of this close reading of its history, educational philosophy, and present state. Situated in the rugged eastern California high desert, the college has managed to survive, even thrive, despite innumerable challenges.

Town Of Ellsworth, New Hampshire Annual Report For The Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2024, Ellsworth Town Representatives

Ellsworth, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

Assessing Older Adults’ Readiness For Adopting Fall Prevention Recommendations Using The Transtheoretical Stages Of Change, Janice Mark, Ankita Henry, Briana Moreland, Dawson Dobash, Gwendolyn Bergen

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

Objectives: Reducing fall risk requires older adults (age 65+) to adopt effective prevention strategies. This study has three aims: 1) understand Stage of Change (SOC) for three fall prevention strategies; 2) determine strategies older adults’ use; and 3) understand which characteristics relate to readiness to take action.

Methods: A survey of 1063 older adults assessed fall risk, SOC, and use of fall prevention strategies. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and regression analysis.

Results: The most common SOC for older adults by strategy was action for overall fall prevention (61%), contemplation for medication management (45%) and preparation and …

Dynamical Measures Of Developing Neuroelectric Fields In Emerging Consciousness, William Bosl, Jenny R. Capua Shenkar

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Seizure Monitoring By Combined Diary And Wearable Data: A Multicenter, Longitudinal, Observational Study, William Bosl, Tobias Loddenkemper, Solveig Vieluf, Sasagu Tomioka, Bo Zhang, Vaishnav Krishnan, Todd Grinnell

Nursing and Health Professions Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Soil Amendments Alter Tree Growth And Wood Decay After Forest Thinning, Deborah S. Page-Dumroese, Martin Jurgensen, Chris Miller, Joanne M. Tirocke, Derek N. Pierson, Cole Mayn, Mark J. Kimsey, Haley C. Anderson

Michigan Tech Publications

Forest soil amendments are increasingly used in western US forests to dispose of unmerchantable woody residues, reduce wildfire risk, and improve soil properties. Our objective was to determine the effect of fertilizer and organic amendments on tree growth and organic matter decomposition after thinning. Treatments were a control, three single soil amendments (wood chips, fertilizer, and biochar), and one combined soil amendment (biochar + fertilizer), each applied after thinning a ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex. Laws) stand. After 10 years, amendment treatments had no effect on tree diameter increment (p = 0.600), but the biochar + fertilizer and wood …

High-Grade Avm. Educational Vignette And Clinical Cases, Marcos Devanir Silva Da Costa, Marcelo Augusto Acosta Goiri, Daniela Coelho, Juan Alberto Paz Archila, Talita Helena Martins Sarti, Feres Chaddad-Neto

Archives of Neurosurgery

The arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is a vascular malformation characterized by fistulas between arteries and veins forming a nidus, without interposition of capillary vessels and of which early draining vein is identified at the digital angiography. Potential reports of its existence date from the second century AD. Spetzler and Martin (S-M) proposed a classification considering three features and Lawton then added new predictors. A maximum of 10 score can be achieved by applying the modified S-M grade system. This classification guides decision-making and the possible choice of the multimodal treatment (surgery, radiosurgery and embolization). We discuss historical, pathological, clinical and therapeutic …

Representing Structural Isomer Effects In A Coarse-Grain Model Of Poly(Ether Ketone Ketone), Chris D. Jones, Jenny W. Fothergill, Rainier Barrett, Lina N. Ghanbari, Nicholas R. Enos, Olivia Mcnair, Jeffrey Wiggins, Eric Jankowski

Boise State University Publications and Presentations

Carbon-fiber composites with thermoplastic matrices offer many processing and performance benefits in aerospace applications, but the long relaxation times of polymers make it difficult to predict how the structure of the matrix depends on its chemistry and how it was processed. Coarse-grained models of polymers can enable access to these long-time dynamics, but can have limited applicability outside the systems and state points that they are validated against. Here we develop and validate a minimal coarse-grained model of the aerospace thermoplastic poly(etherketoneketone) (PEKK). We use multistate iterative Boltzmann inversion to learn potentials with transferability across thermodynamic states relevant to PEKK …

Examining The Relationship Between Teen Pregnancy And Educational Outcomes In Ohio, Andrea Szep, Maryyam Durrani

Scholarship in Medicine - All Papers

Objective: The aim of this study is to explore the relationship between educational outcomes,school funding, and teen birth rates in Ohio counties between 2020 and 2024. Methods: Usingdata from County Health Rankings, we performed regression, correlation, and paired t-testanalyses through the SPSS software. Results: The results of our tests showed significantnegative correlations between markers of educational success, including high school graduationrates math and reading standardized test scores, and teen birth rates in both 2020 and 2024.Between 2020 and 2024, the teen birth rate decreased in the state of Ohio, and in 2024, publicschool funding was able to predict 14.8% of …

Existence Results For A Discrete Fractional Boundary Value Problem, David Barilla, Martin Bohner, Giuseppe Caristi, Shapour Heidarkhani, Shahin Moradi

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Research & Creative Works

In this study, we investigate the existence of at least one solution and the existence of an infinite number of solutions for a discrete fractional boundary value problem. Requiring an algebraic condition on the nonlinear term for small values of the parameter and requiring an additional asymptotical behavior of the potential at zero, we investigate the existence of at least one nontrivial solution for the problem. Moreover, under suitable assumptions on the oscillatory behavior of the nonlinearity at infinity, for exact collections of the parameter, we discuss the existence of a sequence of solutions for the problem. We also present …

Building Partnerships To Address Food Insecurity, Diane M. Taylor

Community Engagement Student Work

Presently in Massachusetts, one in three adults experience food insecurity. The problem is exacerbated by the high cost of living in the state, and its disproportionate effect on minority populations. To address these issues, this research has three major goals: 1) to educate community members working in the food insecurity field by providing a foundational understanding of the topic, 2) to provide the opportunity for stakeholders to network and meet others working in the field of food security, and 3) to share effective strategies for building strong, successful, sustainable partnerships and collaborations, which will create greater impact. For the purpose …