Digital Commons Network^™

How Comics Impact The Process Of Instructional Design, Aaron M. White

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Despite growing evidence and professional consensus of the educational benefits of comics, the medium has not received much explicit attention within instructional design literature. This very lack of attention leaves instructional designers (IDs) and subject matter experts (SMEs) without the necessary means to integrate comics into higher education curriculum. Drawn from theoretical and empirical evidence found in Mayer’s Multimedia Learning (2021) and Cohn’s The Visual Language of Comics (2014), this dissertation explored how incorporating comics as anchor text into three different courses (face-to-face, hybrid, and online) at three different higher education institutions in the Midwest impacted the dynamics of the …

Learning Abstract Chemistry Concepts With Virtual Reality: An Experimental Study Using A Vr Chemistry Lab And Molecule Simulation, Elliot Hu-Au

School of Computing Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

In this 2 × 2 between-subject experimental study, a virtual reality (VR) laboratory simulation is paired with a VR molecular world intervention to teach chemistry concepts. The independent variables are the implementation timing of the molecular world intervention (Pre-lab vs. Integrated) and the level of embodiment (Traditional vs. VR). Eighty students (N = 80), ages 11–18 years old, from a community center in New York City participated, completing a pretest, a laboratory simulation, a molecular intervention, and a post-test. The pre- and post-test measures included multiple-choice, free-response, and drawing questions. A key finding was that integrating the intervention within the …

Exploring The Transformative Landscape Of Digital Art, Amiyah Gonzales-Brown

Epochs Art History Journal

The integration of digital media into the art world has ushered in a transformative era, marked by democratization, collaboration, virtual accessibility, and market evolution. Let’s delve into the works of four lesser-known artists who exemplify the pillars of New Media Art, emphasizing inclusivity, diversity, and innovation in the contemporary art landscape. In the realm of New Media Art, creators leverage digital platforms to transcend traditional boundaries, transforming static canvases into dynamic, interactive experiences. This paradigm shift democratizes the creative process, inviting viewers to become active participants in the narrative construction of the artwork. Through digital media, artists challenge conventional notions …

Contemplating Existence: Ai And The Meaning Of Life, Emily Barnes, James Hutson

Faculty Scholarship

This article explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) with existential philosophy, examining how AI technologies influence human conceptualizations of purpose and meaning. Despite rapid advancements in AI, the domain's implications for existential thought remain underexplored. By integrating interdisciplinary perspectives from psychology, philosophy, and AI ethics, this study elucidates how AI can shape, challenge, or enhance our understanding of life's purpose. It investigates theoretical frameworks and practical implementations of AI engaging in existential questions, analyzing both the capabilities and limitations of AI systems such as ChatGPT in simulating human existential thought. The ethical implications of AI's role in existential inquiries …

Chemokines In The Tumor Microenvironment: Implications For Lung Cancer And Immunotherapy., Haebeen Jung, Silke Paust

Faculty Research 2024

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a complex interconnected network of immune cells, fibroblasts, blood vessels, and extracellular matrix surrounding the tumor. Because of its immunosuppressive nature, the TME can pose a challenge for cancer immunotherapies targeting solid tumors. Chemokines have emerged as a crucial element in enhancing the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy, playing a direct role in immune cell signaling within the TME and facilitating immune cell migration towards cancer cells. However, chemokine ligands and their receptors exhibit context-dependent diversity, necessitating evaluation of their tumor-promoting or inhibitory effects based on tumor type and immune cell characteristics. This review explores the …

Arab Citizens’ Contributions To Investigative Reporting: An Examination Of Arabs' Awareness, Willingness, And Satisfaction Toward Citizen Investigative Reporting, Ahmed Makharesh

Dissertations

This dissertation aims to measure Arabs' understanding of investigative reporting and willingness to engage in investigative reporting practices through a survey of 421 Arab citizens from countries that include the Eastern African, Northern African, Arabian Peninsula, and Fertile Crescent regions. It also aims to measure Arabs' understanding of gatekeeping and their willingness to serve as gatekeepers. Further, this dissertation emphasizes various hypotheses, including that increased investigative reporting would benefit the region's citizens and increase the quality of journalistic work. The gatekeeping theory fits into this dissertation because of the significant development of the news delivery process on social media in …

School Culture And Teacher Retention, Verley Lanns-Isaac

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative, single case study was to gain insight into the culture construct in relation to whether it contributes to teachers’ decisions to either leave or stay in a school for the long haul. The research questions of the study were the following: What is the influence of school culture on teacher retention? What aspects of school cultures inform teachers’ decisions to stay or leave the school or teaching profession? What measures instituted by school leaders help to sway teachers’ decisions to either stay or leave the school or teaching profession? Why do some school cultures tend …

Physicians’ Attitude, Knowledge, And Perceived Control Towards The Use Of Exercise As A Form Of Preventive Medicine, Matthew Robert Warner

All-Inclusive List of Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Exercise is a component of physical activity that can aid in the reduction of deaths, lowering obesity rates, and chronic illness. However, many Americans are not meeting the recommended physical activity levels (Carlson, et al., 2018). Quality and accurate health information regarding physical activity is one way to help combat health disparities. Health professionals such as primary care physicians can aid in promoting this lifestyle modification. However, there are shortfalls in physicians’ knowledge of using exercise as a form of preventive medicine for chronic illness. Many medical programs have little to no training in exercise principles (Cardinal et al., 2015). …

Understanding And Improving Law Enforcement Investigations Of Human Trafficking: Focus On Labor Trafficking, Daniela Peterka-Benton, Alison Boak, Christabelle Robinson, Madison Kranis

Articles, Presentations, and Reports

The National Expert Roundtable on Labor Trafficking brought together survivors, prosecutors, law enforcement agents, advocates, and service providers to address systemic gaps in labor trafficking investigations. The discussion revealed that labor trafficking cases remain under-recognized and inadequately prosecuted compared to sex trafficking. Key recommendations include: developing multi-disciplinary task forces, improving screening tools and victim interviews, integrating survivor-led peer support, and strengthening partnerships between police and service providers. The report emphasizes victim-centered, culturally competent methodologies and enhanced training to ensure survivors’ well-being alongside justice.

Pinn-Chk: Physics-Informed Neural Network For High-Fidelity Prediction Of Early-Age Cement Hydration Kinetics, Md Asif Rahman, Tianjie Zhang, Yang Lu

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Cement hydration kinetics, characterized by heat generation in early-age concrete, poses a modeling challenge. This work proposes a physics-informed neural network (PINN) named PINN-CHK designed for cement hydration kinetics, to predict early-age temperature rises in cement paste. PINN-CHK leverages data-driven solutions to craft a high-fidelity prediction model, encompassing material properties and maturity functions in cement hydration. Trained on heated cement paste data, it simultaneously fits experimental results and underlying physics, yielding a mesh-free simulation. Incorporating governing partial differential equations (PDEs), and initial and boundary conditions into its loss function, PINN-CHK architecture undergoes rigorous benchmark testing, demonstrating unparalleled predictive accuracy compared …

Covid-19 Lockdowns: A Catalyst For Rethinking Assessments In Skill-Based Nursing Courses, Zeenar Salim, Anil Khamis, Shanaz Cassum, Zohra Kurji, Pammla Petrucka

Book Chapters / Conference Papers

No abstract provided.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter, August 2024, University Of Northern Iowa. Iowa Waste Reduction Center.

Iowa Waste Reduction Center Newsletter

Contents:

--- Join Our Team
--- Fraud Alert: New phishing scam targeting businesses
--- ICAW 2025 Poster Contest
--- STAR4D returns to the Iowa State Fair

Zebra Limestone From The Gypsum Valley Salt Diapir, Colorado, Rebecca Navarrette

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Zebra rocks displaying alternating light and dark-colored millimeter to centimeter thick bands of crystals have been found at the Gypsum Valley salt diapir, Colorado in the Paradox Basin where they are associated with gypsic diapiric caprock. Elucidating their origin may provide crucial information about intermittent fluid flow at the margin of salt diapirs and about Zebra rock formation, which often is associated with carbonate-hosted lead-zinc mineralization (Mississippi Valley Type, MVT) and hydrothermal dolomite -hosted hydrocarbon reservoirs.

The Gypsum Valley Zebra rocks consist of calcite, i.e., it is a Zebra limestone. It shows a finely crystalline light banding and coarsely crystalline …

Investigation Of Seasonal Trends And Source Apportionment Of Particulate Matter (Pm2.5) In El Paso-Juarez Airshed, Fatema Tuz Zohora

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Using the data from Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for the El Paso city throughout the years from 2021 to 2024 Particulate Matter (PM2.5) was measured to examine the seasonal distribution and sources. This study aims to understand the seasonal variability of PM2.5 concentrations, identify the significant impact of wildfire events on this and source apportionment.The analysis begins with a comprehensive examination of PM2.5 data from TCEQ highlighting the seasonal pattern, it was found that fine particulate matter was more prevalent in winter and tends to be down in spring, and in summer it is relatively lower, subsequently in …

Experimental And Computational Investigation Of Green Laser Propagation Through Turbulent Medium In A Water Tank, Richard Owusu Adansi

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Turbulence medium poses significant challenges to the propagation of laser beams, impacting applications such as free-space optical communication, remote sensing, and laser weapons systems. Therefore, comprehending and mitigating turbulence effects are vital for enhancing the performance of these systems. Analysis of a strong turbulence impact on electromagnetic wave propagation requires extensive knowledge of the Earth's atmospheric and Oceanic phenomena and Maxwell's electromagnetic theory of light as a propagating wave of electric and magnetic fields. Optical systems' propagation often encounters Strong Turbulence, causing interference and diffraction. Nonetheless, light propagation through randomly fluctuating media has been an exciting and active area of …

Rural Education Revitalized: Investigating And Resolving Specific Challenges In Rural Schools, Alexis Jane Barker

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This thesis paper investigates the multifaceted challenges and the potential solutions to the issues afflicting rural education. Despite being often marginalized in educational policy discussions, rural schools confront a plethora of unique issues that significantly impact the educational experiences of students and the overall well-being of their communities. This paper explores the elusive concept of “rurality”, emphasizing that rural communities are diverse and dynamic, shaped by different historical, cultural, and socioeconomic factors.

The review of the literature includes a historical analysis tracing the evolution of rural education, highlighting key turning points, legislation, and social forces that have contributed to rural …

The Role Of Elevation In The Migration, Physiology, And Genomic Diversification Of Birds, Jessie L. Williamson

Biology ETDs

Elevational gradients cause profound eco-climatic variation across short distances. Partial pressure of oxygen (PO₂) is a severe challenge that organisms face at high elevations; due partly to specialization on PO₂, most Neotropical bird species have narrow elevational ranges. However, a small fraction are elevational generalists that span sea level to high elevations, and a subset undertake extreme migratory journeys from low to high elevations biannually. My dissertation combines diverse approaches across levels of biological organization to understand how elevation impacts the ecology, evolution, physiology, and migration of montane birds. I examined ‘extreme’ elevational …

A Phenomenology Examining Factors Influencing College Experience Among First-Generation College Student Women, Micki Hall

Graduate Dissertations and Theses

First-generation college students (FGCS) differ from their traditional peers in that they are considered unprepared for both the intensity and cost of college. Many times, the families of these students have little background in higher education. As a result, earning a college degree can be extremely difficult as well as isolating for FGCS. Alongside this, historically, the majority of FGCS are women. The need for more research on FGCS women is growing, especially considering current developments in higher education. There is a significant amount of research on FGCS as well as specific groups of FGCS women. However, there is a …

A Broadband, Dual Polarized Antenna For The Radio Neutrino Observatory In Greenland, Danny Maas

Master's Theses

The Radio Neutrino Observatory in Greenland (RNO-G) is a multidisciplinary, multinational collaboration which uses antennas to detect neutrino interactions with arctic ice sheets. Neutrinos are formed from nuclear reactions; predominant sources include nuclear reactors, stars, supernovae, and the big bang. They rarely interact with normal matter and thus travel from origin to destination relatively unimpeded, with applications including tracking nuclear weapons tests and supernovae. Measurements of galactic neutrino flux can provide information about how the universe developed and its current evolution. Neutrino interactions produce signals from 100 to 1000MHz. Current RNO-G antennas operate over only a portion of this band; …

Effect Of Enzymatic Pretreatment On Biomethane Production From Olive Pomace, Ningjing Zhong

Master's Theses

In 2023, approximately 2.36 million metric tons of olive oil were produced globally. Olive pomace, a byproduct of the flesh and pits left after olive oil extraction, presents environmental challenges when used as landfill due to its high polyphenol and organic contents, or when combusted due to greenhouse gas emissions. Its potential as animal feed is limited, yet it holds promise for methane production via anaerobic digestion (AD), providing a source of renewable energy. However, the highly crystallized polysaccharides in olive pomace, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and pectin, impede its conversion to methane, and the high polyphenol content inhibits methanogen …

Changes In Blood Lactate And High Intensity Exercise Endurance During A Strength - Endurance Accumulation Training Using Accentuated Eccentric Loading, Nicholas Goode

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of accentuated eccentric load (AEL) resistance training and changes in work capacity, high-intensity exercise endurance (HIEE) and lactate metabolism. Seventeen recreationally trained subjects (11 males and 6 females) (mean ± SD: age = 23.2 ± 4.2 yrs, BM = 81.3 ± 22.2 kg, height = 172.1 ± 10 cm, male relative back squat (BS) [MD1] strength (1RM*BM^-1) = 1.64 ± 0.32 kg*kg^-1, female relative BS strength = 1.39 ± 0.32 kg*kg^-1) participated in the study. Subjects completed a week of familiarization to participate in …

The Lived Experiences Of Transition-Age Youth With Usher Syndrome Preparing For Postsecondary Education: A Retrospective Study, Tara Mae Brown-Ogilvie

Dissertations

Youth with Usher syndrome (USH) can experience unique challenges in postsecondary preparation. Currently, there is a paucity of research addressing the postsecondary preparation experiences of youth with USH. The purpose of this study was to learn from college students with USH about their lived experiences of preparing for postsecondary education; specifically, exploring K-12 educational supports, transition planning, and support systems that helped youth with USH prepare for postsecondary education. Due to the unique nature of this microcosm of deafblindness, qualitative and phenomenological methods were best suited for this study to garner first-hand accounts of those who have experienced this phenomenon …

Implicit Bias Toward Students With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder And The Influential Role Of Teacher Self-Efficacy, Laurie Claire Landrieu

Dissertations

The current study observed the presence of implicit bias toward students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the classroom and the influential role of teacher self-efficacy. Teachers report a lack of readiness to work with students with diverse learning needs. Students with alternative learning needs, such as those with ADHD, report less social competency with adults and peers, and lower self-concept. The purpose of the study is to provide further information about the implicit biases held toward students with ADHD within the classroom and the influential role of teacher self-efficacy. Forty general education teachers were recruited. A paired samples t-test was …

Performance Of Shared Parameter Missing Data Models For Intensive Longitudinal Data, Justin Harding

Dissertations

Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) studies, also known as Intensive Longitudinal Data (ILD), involve participants that are intensively measured over time. Intermittent missing data tends to occur due to participants not responding when prompted. The high volume of assessments and intermittent nature of missingness have made some traditional longitudinal missing data methods unsuited to handle the missingness of EMA data. Two recent missing models intended for ecological momentary assessment missing data situations have emerged that jointly model the outcome and missingness, providing information about the latent trait of responding to prompts. Both models implement a shared parameter as a random effect …

Facilitating Language Development In Late-Talking Toddlers: A Study Of Caregiver Training And Intervention Effectiveness, Kelly Meadows

Dissertations

The prevalence of late language emergence (LLE) in young children is high, comprising 10 to 20% of toddlers. Late language emergence refers to children who do not use at least 50 single words and 2-word phrases at the age of two. Current best practices for the under-three population with or at risk of having disabilities include the use of family-centered services in early intervention. One method of EI for LLE is caregiver-implemented interventions, where the caregiver learns techniques or strategies to help support their child’s expressive language development. This service delivery model prioritizes building the family’s capacity to support their …

Understanding The Acculturation Experiences Of Post-9/11 Student Veterans In The Higher Education Culture Of Civilian Postsecondary Educational Institutions, Jansen Sheridan Legreid

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to describe the essence of the acculturation experiences of post-9/11 student veterans as they navigated within the dominant higher education culture of civilian postsecondary educational institutions (PEIs). Specifically, this study aimed to conceptualize the acculturation experiences of post-9/11 student veterans by simultaneously identifying the components of their military cultural identity that they decided to maintain or abandon in PEI settings as well as which components of the dominant higher education culture that they decided to adopt or reject. This study answered the following research questions: Q1 What are the acculturation experiences of post-9/11 student …

Voices Of Change: Exploring The Narratives Of Physical Education Stakeholders’ Policy Work In Colorado, Lisa Paulson

Dissertations

Quality physical education, pivotal for the development of physical, social, and emotional skills for an active and healthy lifestyle (Society of Health and Physical Educators [SHAPE] America, 2014; United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization [UNESCO], 2021), has been globally marginalized, necessitating a heightened focus on policy advocacy engagement (Hardman, 2013; van der Mars, 2021). Policies touch nearly all aspects of physical education (UNESCO, 2014), and a significant barrier is the ‘policy illiteracy’ that contributes to the field’s neglect (van der Mars et al., 2021). Many educators receive little to no policy education, often not identifying as policy actors (Lorusso …

A Grounded Theory Exploration Of Learning To Read In The Montessori Early Childhood Classroom: Using Teacher Knowledge And Experience To Build A Model Of Reading Development And To Examine How Montessori Pedagogy Supports Reading Motivation, Sharra Weasler

Dissertations

Learning to read is one of the most important components of education and literacy skills in early childhood have a significant impact on later reading success. There is an abundance of quantitative research focused on reading, known as the science of reading. However, gaps and flaws have been identified in the research, indicating that an alternative approach is needed to supplement the current body of knowledge. The Montessori Method includes a comprehensive and effective approach for learning to read. Yet, no systematic research has been conducted to explore reading in this context. The purpose of this study was to explore …

Navigating Crises In Education: A Study Of Communication Strategies In Pk-12 Public School Districts, Darian Byrd

All Dissertations

This study explores the crisis communication strategies utilized by superintendents and communication leaders in PK-12 public school districts, focusing on their structural, human resource, political, and symbolic dimensions. Employing a qualitative, multi-site, multi-case study approach, this research delves into the communication frameworks, practices, and decision-making processes during crises, providing a comprehensive understanding of effective crisis management in educational settings.

The research is anchored in Bolman and Deal’s Four-Frame Model, which offers a multidimensional perspective on organizational analysis. By integrating this theoretical framework, the study examines how different communication strategies align with structural, human resource, political, and symbolic aspects …

Do I Belong?, Audrey Gilden

All Dissertations

To measure students' Social-Emotional-Learning (SEL), Lowcountry School District (LSD) administers Panorama Education surveys to students, teachers, and staff twice a year. The mission of the surveys is to support educators in radically improving student outcomes with data. Students are given two surveys: 1) Student SEL Competency & Well-Being and 2) Student Supports & Environment. The first survey focuses on supportive relationships and self-management, while the second focuses on teacher-student relationships, sense of belonging, and school climate. Looking specifically at the Student Supports & Environment survey, two areas of concern are school climate and sense of belonging. School climate measures the …