Digital Commons Network^™

Interpreting The Spatial Distribution Of Soil Properties With A Physically-Based Distributed Hydrological Model, Zamir Libohova, Marcelo Mancini, Hans Edwin Winzeler, Quentin D. Read, Ning Sun, Dylan Beaudette, Candiss Williams, Joshua Michael Blackstock, Sergio H.G. Silva, Nilton Curi, Kabindra Adhikari, Amanda Ashworth, Joshua O. Minai, Phillip R. Owens

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Digital soil maps are commonly data-driven as the development of physically-based models for soil mapping is difficult due to the complexity of soils. However, physically-based hydrologic models have been successful in simulating water dynamics. Since water movement is a major driver of pedogenesis, the physical rules that govern water movement might help explain and predict the spatial variation of soil properties. Here, we demonstrate the novel use of a physically-based, distributed hydrologic model to inform the spatial distribution of soil properties. The Distributed Hydrology Soil Vegetation Model (DHSVM) was utilized to simulate soil moisture content (SM) and water table …

Next Steps In Online Courts: Accelerating Access To Justice Through Court Technology, J.J. Prescott

Articles

For more than a decade, state courts have been expanding access to justice by adopting online dispute resolution (ODR) platforms and other outward-facing communication technologies. At a deep level, these reforms aim at improving society by bolstering the rule of law. At a surface level, these innovations recognize that the justice system works better when courts and law are easier and less costly to understand and use. In important respects, these efforts have been a success. The accessibility of many state courts is considerably more robust today than it was ten years ago, at least for small-stakes cases, like traffic …

Evaluation Of 3d Beach Profiles: A New Method For Monitoring Changes In Beach Morphology And Grain Size, Kalinda Ellen Roberts

Graduate Masters Theses

Beach profiles are a simple and affordable approach to monitoring changes in beach morphology. However, traditional methods offer limited resolution and dimension. Recent advancements in technologies, particularly structure-from-motion (SfM) and grain size detection models (GSDMs), can be integrated into conventional beach profiling techniques, enabling more detailed spatial and temporal analysis of slope and grain sizes. This research introduces a new technique for coastal monitoring, termed “3D Beach Profiles,” which integrates SfM technology to create high-resolution three-dimensional digital surface models (DSMs) and orthomosaics of beach surfaces. These digital surfaces enable the extraction of beach slopes with orders of magnitude more data …

'Buy Me Some Peanuts And Cracker Jacks': How Peanuts, Chewing Gum, Hot Dogs, And Beer Became Icons Of Americana Through Baseball, Miles Houman Cipriano

Graduate Masters Theses

BUY ME SOME PEANUTS AND CRACKER JACKS’: HOW PEANUTS, CHEWING GUM, HOT DOGS, AND BEER BECAME ICONS OF AMERICANA THROUGH BASEBALL December 2024 Miles Houman Cipriano B.A., Westfield State University M.A., University of Massachusetts Boston Directed by Professor Bonnie Miller Peanuts, chewing gum, hot dogs, and beer are often closely associated with the game of baseball. Beginning in the mid to late nineteenth century, baseball was a rising form of entertainment in the United States of America, and part of the spectator experience was the purchase of concessions. The business of concessions in America has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry …

The Impact Of Restorative Practice Implementation On Culturally Responsive Teaching And Student Behavior, Patrice Mccoy

Dissertations

American public schools uphold the policies, standards, and disciplinary practices that guide the belief systems of how students view fairness and deal with conflict. As teachers invest in student knowledge and seek to guide students in the right direction, the challenge is learning the appropriate methods of dealing with student behavior. Behavior management practices have evolved just as many student challenges and needs have changed. With these changes evolves the need to better understand students and families. Teachers gaining cultural responsiveness to student behavior challenges is a relatively new ideology to ensure students feel understood and more engaged in the …

The Role Of Leadership In Embedding Social Emotional Learning For Systematic Change In Chicago’S Elementary Schools, Alexandra K. Dakessian

Dissertations

Students within Chicago Public Schools (CPS) are experiencing an unprecedented level of trauma and displaying an immense need for social emotional support. This work evaluated the implementation of social-emotional learning (SEL) programming in CPS by exploring the roles of stakeholders in implementing SEL support in the district and in individual schools, identifying the barriers to effective implementation, and recommending measures to enhance SEL practices at the local and state levels. Data for the study were collected in 2023 and 2024 through interviews with school leaders and revealed both the progress in SEL integration as well as the significant disparities that …

The Effectiveness Of Mbsr On The Occupational Stress Of Correctional Officers, Nikolas Kerr

Dissertations

This dissertation looks at the negative effects of the work environment and other factors related to correctional officers lived experience. The intervention concentrates on the effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction on the occupational stress of correctional officers. Correctional officers have always dealt with difficult work conditions, but over the last 30 years the increase in the number of incarcerated people, the lack of retention among correctional officers, and the proliferation of inmates with complex mental health issues and gang affiliations have all created a much more complex and dangerous work environment. Combine this with the new understanding of the effects …

Protective Play: The Impact Of A Before-School Play Program On Sixth-Grade Students’ Social-Emotional Well-Being, Luleta Dardovski

Dissertations

This mixed-methods study explored the impact of a daily thirty-minute before-school play program on sixth-grade students' social and emotional well-being, using the five CASEL core competencies and S.A.F.E. (Sequenced, Active, Focused, Explicit) framework as guiding principles. The study addressed the central research question: How does unstructured play before school influence students’ social-emotional learning (SEL) skills and well-being? Data was collected through student surveys, interviews with teachers, and observations to explore how play fosters SEL skill development. Play was found to offer an authentic environment for sixth grade students to actively practice SEL skills, fostering benefits in self-esteem, social connectedness, emotional …

Incorporating Meditation, Yoga, And Reiki Interventions To Reduce Stress, Anxiety, And Mood Symptoms Among The College Population, Kelly Wills

Dissertations

The purpose of this clinical research project is to examine the efficacy of mindfulness techniques and alternative therapeutic practices, specifically, meditation, yoga, and Reiki, in decreasing symptoms of anxiety among college students. The increasing prevalence of anxiety disorders among the college population warrants the need for identifying effective interventions for enhancing mental health outcomes. This review integrates findings from published studies that focus on the impact of these practices on anxiety-related symptoms within college settings. Reviewing these studies reveals consistent evidence to support the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation as it relates to anxiety reduction as well as improvements in emotional …

2024 European Heart Rhythm Association/Heart Rhythm Society/Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society/Latin American Heart Rhythm Society Expert Consensus Statement On Catheter And Surgical Ablation Of Atrial Fibrillation, Stylianos Tzeis, Ralph J Damiano, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

In the last three decades, ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has become an evidence-based safe and efficacious treatment for managing the most common cardiac arrhythmia. In 2007, the first joint expert consensus document was issued, guiding healthcare professionals involved in catheter or surgical AF ablation. Mounting research evidence and technological advances have resulted in a rapidly changing landscape in the field of catheter and surgical AF ablation, thus stressing the need for regularly updated versions of this partnership which were issued in 2012 and 2017. Seven years after the last consensus, an updated document was considered necessary to define a …

Predicting Newborn Low Birth Weight: A Machine Learning Approach Using Maternal Health And Demographic Data, Rayan Elsayed

Theses

Low birth weight (LBW), defined by the World Health Organization as a birth weight under 2500 grams, remains a major global health challenge due to its association with increased risks for adverse neonatal and long-term health outcomes. This study aims to identify maternal health factors that contribute to LBW and to develop predictive models to support early identification of at-risk pregnancies. Two machine learning models, Logistic Regression (LR) and Random Forest (RF), were developed to analyze the relationship between maternal factors and LBW outcomes. The RF model achieved an accuracy of 96.36%, demonstrating robust predictive performance across metrics, making it …

Tehran Is Ours, Hamideh Azimi

Theses

Tehran is Ours is a thesis film, mainly 2D animation, with some experimental and 3D parts. This film dramatizing the movement that is happening in Iran which is about women’s rights. 2D fluid animation represents the movement that never stops.

Shape Between Intimacy, Mackenzie Serwa

Theses

This thesis examines the parallel exploration of raw tactile materials and relationships to develop a personal dialogue of intimacy. It breaks down the materiality of glass, clay, and the impulse of collecting, aiming to communicate the human connections shared between each. By engaging with materials in this way, this study aims to foster a deeper understanding of the existence, influence, and expression of intimate relationships.

Applying Machine Learning For Crime Trend Analysis, Dana Alsoori

Theses

The analysis of crime rates has always been a critical component in shaping law enforcement strategies and public policy. This study focuses on the U.S. crime rates from 1975 to 2015, as reported by the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, to explore patterns and trends over four decades. By analyzing this extensive dataset, the project aims to provide insights into the dynamics of criminal activity across different regions and crime categories. The goal is to uncover both visible and hidden trends that can inform better decision-making in crime prevention and resource allocation. With the rise of data-driven methods, this …

Mitigating Network Congestion In High-Density Areas Through Advanced Distributed Antenna Systems, Amal Abdulrahman Albeshr

Theses

This dissertation investigates the optimization of Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) to address network performance challenges, enhance user satisfaction, and improve operational efficiencies in high-density environments. The study explores the integration of DAS with smart city infrastructure to support modern urban needs, such as real-time monitoring and IoT device connectivity. Set against the backdrop of growing urbanization and increasing demand for reliable connectivity, this research provides a comprehensive analysis of DAS as a transformative solution for telecommunications and smart city applications. The primary research question guiding this study was: How can Distributed Antenna Systems (DAS) be optimized to enhance network performance …

North Sinai Bedouin Veil From The May Weber Ethnographic Study Collection, Jupiter Beck

Department of Anthropology

This report is on a North Sinai Bedouin Veil/Burqa from the May Weber Ethnographic Study Collection. It details the materials, the methods of construction, the attribution, and the cultural significance of the veil/burqa.

The World Bank's New Approach To Human Capital Model And Education, Ozlem Kucuk, Cihan Cobanoglu

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

The human capital approach, introduced in 1960, has been used by economists to establish connections between education, skills, and personal income. It resulted in a redistribution of public expenditure by viewing education not only as a cost but also as an economic input, a way to increase revenue in the medium and long term. Human capital theory highlights the crucial role of education in the economy. With the rise of the knowledge society, scientists have debated the potential end of poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. They envisioned a new knowledge economy and a more egalitarian society. The significant increase in …

Elevating The Online Learners’ Experience By Cultivating Social Presence In The Online Learning Environment, Lori Doyle, Tanya M. Tarbutton

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

The online learning environment does not inherently offer opportunities for learners to experience the benefits of enhanced social presence. The lack of social presence can negatively impact students, the primary group of stakeholders that influence institutional success. On the contrary, research on the Community of Inquiry model, specific to social presence, has been shown to pay positive dividends. There has been an increase in online course offerings; therefore, an intentional push toward elevating the online learning experience is worthy of consideration. Virtual learning environments, if not deliberately cultivated, may be void of authentic relationships and opportunities to connect. In the …

Fostering Ecological Awareness And Inclusion Through Narrative Pedagogy: Insights From The ‘Eco-Narrations’ Projects, Giambattista Bufalino, Gabriella D’Aprile

University of South Florida (USF) M3 Publishing

The paper presents The Eco-Narrations: Educational Care Atelier, an innovative collaborative initiative between the University of Catania and the Municipality of Ragusa. The project integrates narrative pedagogy into education to advance ecological awareness and social inclusion. From June to December 2023, the initiative offered a comprehensive training program to over 100 educators across kindergarten, primary, and lower secondary schools, blending theoretical sessions with practical workshops. Central to the program were eco-narrations, which employed ecological storytelling to deepen knowledge, foster emotional engagement, and promote inclusion. The project enhanced teachers’ abilities to address ecological and social issues while cultivating a collaborative …

Teachers’ Perception Of School Counselors’ Effectiveness When Supporting Middle-Level African American Males, Vanessa Dease

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Six teachers representing three sites in a single school district shared their perceptions through interviews regarding school counselors' effectiveness when supporting African American middle-level males academically, socially, and emotionally. A reflexive thematic analysis guided this study with the help of the sociocultural and expectancy theories. As participants shared their perceptions through interviews, they answered the three research questions that guided the research. The research questions are: (a) What are teachers' perceptions of the effectiveness of school counselors in addressing the unique social and emotional needs of African American male students? (b) What do educators expect of school counselors regarding supporting …

Understanding And Intervening In Children's Tick Risk Perceptions And Protective Behaviors: A Grounded Theory, Ariel Dawdy

Department of Entomology: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Children, ages 8 years and younger, are at a particularly high risk of contracting a tick-borne disease. This is partially due to the misconceptions spread about tick protective behavior and a poor understanding of how antibiotic treatment can help. Because most communities and families believe that tick control is the individual’s responsibility, looking at the interaction between ticks and human children is essential to understanding the individual’s motivations to protect themselves. To help alleviate the number of individuals contracting tick-borne diseases, misconceptions must be addressed, intervention programs implemented, and a behavioral change must occur. This study used a qualitative research …

The Use Of Two-Dimensional Detectors For Snapshot And High Accuracy Imaging Ellipsometry, Jeremy A. Vanderslice

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Ellipsometry is a powerful and sensitive optical technique used to characterize thin film thickness and optical properties by measuring changes in the polarization state of light upon reflection or transmission. This dissertation investigates novel ellipsometry configurations that use two-dimensional detectors to enhance measurement speed, spatial resolution, or accuracy of ellipsometry measurements. The study involves the development of three different ellipsometry configurations, encompassing mechanical prototypes, mathematical models, and test measurements to evaluate each system.

Advisor: Jeffrey Shield

Channel Estimation In Millimeter Wave Mimo Systems: The Tensor-Based Methods, Fei He

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation presents two novel tensor-based methods for solving channel estimation (CE) problems in Millimeter Wave (mmWave) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication systems. First, we proposed a method of tensor rank regularization with bias compensation for CE in a hybrid mmWave MIMO system. We modified the CANDECOMP/PARAFAC(CP) decomposition-based method and jointly estimated the tensor rank and channel factor matrices. It differs from most existing works by assuming that the number of channel paths is unknown, yet it can accurately estimate channel parameters without prior knowledge of the number of multipath components. The tensor rank is estimated by a novel sparsity-promoting …

Analysis Of Impulsive Differential Equation Models Of Cell Populations Undergoing Radiation Therapy, Abigail D'Ovidio Long

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Radiation therapy is a mode of treatment which is implemented for approximately 50% of cancer patients. Treatment needs to be able to kill cancer cells, but also do minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. We propose two main impulsive differential equation models of radiation therapy to capture the periodic nature of the treatment. These models build off of previous studies using clinical data to ensure biological relevance. The first model incorporates only cancer cell populations, and we provide parameter relationships which theoretically ensure treatment outcomes of cancer eradication, cancer approaching a carrying capacity, and cancer approaching a periodic solution. We …

Taking A Closer Look At Tpack: Examining Teacher Perspectives Of The Knowledge, Competencies, And Context Needed For Improved Remote Education In Grades 4-8, Jennifer Christine Buth Bell

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Though wrought with challenges, the COVID-19 Pandemic, which led to the closure of schools worldwide and forced educators into a rapid transition from traditional to Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT), held some promise for furthering the integration of digital technology in schools. But now, years following the crisis, policymakers, administrators, and teachers continue to grapple with how best to incorporate lessons learned and improve the future of teaching and learning in both traditional and remote settings. This mixed-methods study (n = 21; n = 6) followed an explanatory sequential design to collect and analyze data from a sample of 4th-8th …

Local Rural Knowledge And Early Childhood Informal Science Education In Rural Nebraska, Sarah Michelle Paulos

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This study aims to discover the existing experiences that lead to local rural knowledge (LRK) of specific rural Northeast Nebraska communities. This information will assist in understanding the impact that LRK has on young children’s science knowledge in rural communities. By engaging in hands-on experiences and interactions, science learning goals for children may be achieved and developed through science outreach programs. During Phase 1 of this study, adults in the selected rural communities participated in an online survey indicating their knowledge of various common rural phrases with the option to share personal stories of experiences and family history. This information …

When Language Policy And Planning Is A Missed Opportunity: Lessons Learned From A Proposed But Not Implemented Dual Language Bilingual Education Program, Jessica Mitchell-Mccollough

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

When populations undergo demographic shift, as in Nebraska in recent decades, educational practices can establish or reinforce hegemonic practices through denial or legitimization of language, culture, and identity, or they can be counterhegemonic. The demographic changes in Nebraska have been defined by a growth in Latinx populations (Morales, et al., in press). As a result, there have been various efforts to explore dynamic shifts in educational programs offered to support students’ unique language acquisition needs, including growth in dual language bilingual education (DLBE). However, not all communities have responded uniformly. During a recent strategic planning process Lincoln Public Schools (LPS) …

The Impact Of Tier 1 Pbis Implementation Fidelity On Education Outcomes For Students With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Rebecca Anne (Wright) Overfield

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

This dissertation study aimed to examine the relationship between Tier 1 Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) implementation fidelity and the academic (e.g., MAP Growth scores) and behavioral outcomes (e.g., major office discipline referrals, suspensions). High quality PBIS implementation fidelity has been linked with improved standardized test scores and decreased instances of major office discipline referrals, in-school suspensions, and out-of-school suspensions for students with and without behavioral difficulties. However, no research has been done on the impact of PBIS implementation fidelity on students with ADHD. It is estimated that at least 40% of students with ADHD require at least one …

Investigating The Impact Of An Elaborative Conversation Strategies (Ecs) Intervention On Parent-Child Interactions And Preschool Children's Science Learning Using A Single-Case Experimental Design, Yao Yao

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The primary purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of the elaborative conversation strategies (ECS) intervention in improving the quality of parents' science talk during everyday home learning interactions using a single-case experimental design. Specifically, the study explored whether training parents in ECS could increase their use of these high-quality conversation strategies and enhance the quality of their science talk when engaging their children in science activities. The study also investigated how the ECS intervention impacted children's science knowledge, skills, and interest, as well as parents' attitudes toward supporting their children's science learning.

Participants included five typically developing …

Variable Selection In Distance Metric Learning And Triplet Constraints For Deep Learning Based Ordinal Classification, James D. Clothier

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

The purpose of this research is to augment linear and kernelized ordinal distance metric learning (L/KODML) techniques with a proposed variable selection methodology that integrates the Sequential Multi-Response Feature Selection (SMuRFS) algorithm. Additionally, we aim to embed ordinal triplet constraints into a deep learning architecture, and to propose a general framework for deep learning-based ordinal classification. A variety of simulation studies and real data experiments were conducted to evaluate the various methodologies. For the distance metric learning and variable selection, results showed that the integration of SMuRFS performed effective variable selection and improved prediction accuracy. For the triplet constraints, incorporating …