Digital Commons Network^™

Exploratory Analysis In Rio Grande Valley Real Estate Development, Mathew C. Sosa

Theses and Dissertations

The aim of this thesis is to apply exploratory data analysis and machine learning (ML) to answer critical questions in real estate development within the Rio Grande Valley (RGV). The real estate development sector is highly dynamic and relies on multiple integrated systems and planning to bring new homes to the market. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software and real estate listing services, such as Redfin, are utilized to manage the customer lifecycle and analyze the local market, respectively. Two of the most crucial aspects of the customer lifecycle are the first home tour and deal closing. This paper explores the …

Redefining Spaces Of Resistance Against Capitalism And Patriarchy: A Study Of Females In Society And The Family As Presented By Mrs. Warren’S Profession (1893) By Bernard Shaw And A Raisin In The Sun (1959) By Lorraine Hansberry, Jennifer L. Gonzalez

Theses and Dissertations

These plays show how conflicts concerning race, gender, and class stem from economic distress, racial discrimination, and patriarchal oppression. Within such intersections lie distinct realities of capitalism which simultaneously upholds patriarchal ideals that can only be best understood through a Marxist-Feminist lens. This thesis pays attention to how racism and discrimination functions to isolate certain groups of people from reaching social mobility. The first chapter analyzes Mrs. Warren’s Profession to demonstrate how Mrs. Warren decision to enter into prostitution cannot simply be reduced to a question of morality, but rather a question of society’s conditions that place women into certain …

11th Circuit Denies En Banc Review Of Eknes-Tucker Panel Decision In Alabama Gender-Confirming Care Case, Generating Dissenting Opinions And “Statements”, Arthur S. Leonard

Other Publications

No abstract provided.

Outcomes Of Different Steroid Dosing Regimens In Critical Covid-19 Pneumonia At A Kenyan Hospital: A Retrospective Cohort Study, John Odhiambo, Jasmit Shah, Nancy Kunyiha, Felix Riunga, Charles Makasa

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: Among therapeutic options for severe and critical COVID- 19 infection, dexamethasone six milligrams once daily for ten days has demonstrated mortality benefit and is guideline recommended at this dose. In practice, variable doses of steroids have been used, especially in critical care settings. Our study aimed to determine the pattern of steroid dosing and outcomes in terms of critical care mortality, occurrence of dysglycaemias, and occurrence of superadded infections in patients with critical COVID-19.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was carried out on all eligible patients admitted to the Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, with critical COVID-19 between 1st …

Nutrient Intake And Nutritional Status Of Blood Cancer Patients At A Tertiary Hospital In India: A Cross-Sectional Descriptive Analysis Of Leukemia, Lymphoma And Multiple Myeloma, Enock Topisia, Loise Wamahiga Wang’Ondu

Haematology and Oncology, East Africa

In 2018, there were an estimated 18 million cancer cases worldwide, with lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and leukemia contributing to a significant portion of these cases. Lymphoma accounted for 79,990 cases, multiple myeloma for 159,985 cases, and leukemia for 437,033 cases globally (AICR, 2018). In the United States alone, approximately 30,770 people are diagnosed with multiple myeloma each year. Multiple myeloma comprises about 1.8% of all cancers and around 10% of all “blood cancers,” which includes leukemia (Penn Medicine, 2020). India ranks third in the highest reported cases of blood cancer, following the United States and China, affecting more than 70,000 …

Creation Of Eco-Terrorism: A History Of Actions By The Earth Frist!, Earth Liberation And Animal Liberation Front From The 1980s-2000s, Zachary Smith, Zachary C. Smith

History Theses

From the nineteen eighties to the early two thousands, the United States saw a raise in awareness and activity from ecological activist groups. The United States government labeled ecological activist groups as the one domestic terrorist group that was the largest threat to the safety and well-being of the American public. Given the current environmental crisis facing the world, there should be encouragement and rise of green activism not an active dismissal. How did these activists become the number one on the United States government list? The groups that are primarily responsible for this claim are Earth First!, Earth Liberation …

Challenges Of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Testing, Jieli Li

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), primarily synthesized in the liver, was initially discovered due to its capacity to replicate the metabolic effects of insulin. Subsequently, it emerged as a key regulator of the actions of growth hormone (GH), managing critical processes like cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Notably, IGF-1 displays a longer half-life compared to GH, making it less susceptible to factors that may affect GH concentrations. Consequently, the measurement of IGF-1 proves to be more specific and sensitive when diagnosing conditions such as acromegaly or GH deficiency. The recognition of the existence of IGFBPs and their potential to interfere …

Pediatric Mental Health Emergency Department Visits From 2017 To 2022: A Multicenter Study, David Ashby, Kamali L Bouvay, Susan J Duffy, James M Chamberlain, Sofia S Chaudhary, Nicolaus W Glomb, Jacqueline Grupp-Phelan, Maya Haasz, Erin P O'Donnell, Mohsen Saidinejad, Bashar S Shihabuddin, Leah Tzimenatos, Neil G Uspal, Joseph J Zorc, Lawrence J Cook, Elizabeth R Alpern

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic adversely affected children's mental health (MH) and changed patterns of MH emergency department (ED) utilization. Our objective was to assess how pediatric MH ED visits during the COVID-19 pandemic differed from expected prepandemic trends.

Methods: We retrospectively studied MH ED visits by children 5 to < 18 years old at nine U.S. hospitals participating in the Pediatric Emergency Care Applied Research Network Registry from 2017 to 2022. We described visit length by time period: prepandemic (January 2017-February 2020), early pandemic (March 2020-December 2020), midpandemic (2021), and late pandemic (2022). We estimated expected visit rates from prepandemic data using multivariable Poisson regression models. We calculated rate ratios (RRs) of observed to expected visits per 30 days during each pandemic time period, overall and by sociodemographic and clinical characteristics.

Results: We identified 175,979 pediatric MH ED visits. Visit length exceeded 12 h for 7.3% prepandemic, 8.4% early pandemic, 15.0% midpandemic, and 19.2% late pandemic visits. During the early pandemic, observed visits per 30 days decreased relative to expected rates (RR 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.78-0.84), were similar to expected …

Sensory Symptoms Across The Lifespan In People With Cerebral Palsy, Evelyne K Tantry, Aditya Mahat, Bhooma Aravamuthan

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Background: To estimate the prevalence of sensory symptoms in people with cerebral palsy (CP) across the lifespan.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the self-reported Sensory Processing Scale Inventory (SPS-I) was administered via Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) between February 1, 2022, and August 15, 2022, to people with CP or their caregivers enrolled in the online MyCP Community Registry. We determined the association between SPS-I scores and age (Pearson correlation) and functional status as assessed using five validated functional classification systems for CP (analysis of variance [ANOVA]). We hypothesized that sensory symptoms would differ between younger and older individuals with …

Saudi Acceptance Of Digital Communication And Satisfaction With Mobile Government Services (M-Government), Samah Alotaibi

Theses and Dissertations

Governments throughout the world are using developments in mobile technology to enhance electronic governance (e-government) by digitally providing government information and services. This is often known as mobile government (M-government), which caters to the needs of individuals, corporations, and governmental institutions. The main objective of this dissertation is to examine the integration of mobile government services into the government's digital communication revolution. It specifically aims to investigate the level of satisfaction and acceptance among Saudi citizens regarding the mobile applications developed by the government. The dissertation delves into their perspectives and assessments of the digital communication channels offered by the …

Adaptation To The Impacts Of Climate Change On Water Availability In The Upper Red River Of The North (Urrn), Innocent Kelechi Anosike

Theses and Dissertations

In the Upper Red River of the North (URRN), climate change has appeared to impact water availability, causing several major floods in recent years, and raising questions about whether climate change is responsible for the frequent occurrence of flooding in this major agricultural region in the Midwest USA. This thesis centers on investigating adaptative measures to mitigate the impacts of climate change in the URRN. One of the methods used is to compare changes in the outcomes of flood frequency analysis (FFA) for “before (pre-industrial) and after (industrial)” time periods. The study uses a combination of data analysis and literature …

Investigating Climate Change Impacts Of Surface Water Dynamics In A Cold Region Terminal Lake Basin Using Remote Sensing Technology, Alexis Lucy Archambault

Theses and Dissertations

The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) has an extremely variable climate and has pronounced impacts on wetlands as they are highly responsive to the variability in air temperature and precipitation. In recent years, the PPR has been in a wet climate condition since 1993 facilitating severe flooding in the Devils Lake Basin (DLB), North Dakota – costing the United States (U.S.) ~$1B USD. Many studies using remotely sensed imagery reported a substantial increase in the number of surface water bodies and expansion of the existing water bodies during 1988-2013. In addition to surface water area, the water storage of the potholes …

Historical & Contemporary Practices Of Seal Harvesting: Policy Implications For Revitalization Among The Taa-Laa-Wa Dee-Ni’, Paula Lynne Aubrey

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores the contemporary practices of seal harvesting among Indigenous Peoples, with a special focus on policies that inform the revitalization of seal harvesting within the Taa-laa-waa Dee-ni’ (Tolowa) community of Northern California and Southern Oregon. The research is conducted by an Indigenous researcher seeking to further connect to traditional practices of her tribe, and this research places a strong emphasis on cultural sensitivity and ethical integrity. The study involves a dual methodology including a comprehensive literature review to understand the cultural and ecological significance of seal harvesting, and a policy artifact review to identify wise practices and policy …

Examining Correlations Of Historical Trauma And Ethnic Identification With Symptoms Of Depression In Native American College Students, Nerissa Dolney

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of how historical trauma and one’s degree of ethnic identity relate to symptoms of depression, due to controversy in the literature about such variables. Participants in this study self-identified as Native American, were over the age of 18, and were currently enrolled or have been previously enrolled at the University of North Dakota (UND). Participants completed a survey online via Qualtrics to gather information about their ethnic identity, frequency of historical loss thinking, and symptoms of depression. Historical loss thinking was found to be very prevalent among this sample, and …

Examining Tele-Mental Health Utilization In North American Indigenous Communities, Elleh A. Driscoll

Theses and Dissertations

Tele-mental health delivery reported by clinicians in Indigenous communities before, during, and after the pandemic has largely remained unexplored across psychology literature. Tele-mental health (TMH) is the utilization of technology tools to communicate and treat clients (Riding-Malon, 2014). TMH (i.e. mental health services accessed via zoom, telephone, etc.) is associated in recent research with effective rates for mental health care treatment comparable to in-person rates for both immediate and long-term outcomes (McCord, 2020; Lin, 2021). The current study examined self-reported mental health clinicians (n=104) serving North American Indigenous clients on a variety of TMH factors during and after the COVID-19 …

Optimizing Laser-Based Wireless Power Transfer: A Comprehensive Study Of A 4 Quadrant Pv Module System And Its Powering And Tracking Capabilities, Ahmed Elfarran

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates laser-based tracking systems for wireless power transfer (WPT) applications. Beginning with an overview of renewable energy and WPT technologies, the study establishes both theoretical frameworks and practical methodologies for laser-based power transmission. The experimental analyses encompass load testing with a four-quadrant module, examining the impact of laser power, load conditions, and beam diameter on power transfer efficiency, as well as the influence of target movement speed on voltage stability. Notably, we achieved a tracking speed of up to 20 mm/s, ensuring efficient power delivery even with target motion. The results demonstrate clear correlations between laser power levels …

Impact Of Substance Use And Perceptions Of Social Support On Psychological Distress Following Traumatic Brain Injury, Laura Gorman

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are the leading cause of disability and mortality for individuals under the age of 45 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021; Moore et al., 2014). Previous research has informed us that substance use, perceptions of social support, and TBI severity have all been associated with increased levels of psychological distress. Given the prevalence of TBI and its impact on physical and mental health outcomes, it is important to understand how outside factors (substance use and perceptions of social support) relate with TBI severity to effect overall levels of psychological distress. Objective: Drawing from self-determination …

Wooyake Winyan: The Experience Of Three Native Women In Higher Education Leadership At 4-Year Institutions In The Midwest, Raven Gray

Theses and Dissertations

Native women in higher education have faced many challenges and disparities, specifically within 4-year institutions. This research used a qualitative method known as storytelling to identify ways of progression for Native women in higher education leadership while being supported by the theoretical framework of aspirational capital. Additionally, this knowledge is explained through cultural ways of storytelling, with hope of gaining perspective of Native female leadership and how this impacts Native communities within higher education. Through this research, it portrayed the experience of Native women in Higher education leadership which included their successes and challenges. Each participant shared their background of …

Protective Factors For Suicidal Ideation In Transgender Adults Living In Rural Communities, Genel Gronkowski

Theses and Dissertations

Transgender adults living in rural communities within the USA may be at an increased risk for suicidal ideation compared to their cisgender peers. Meyer’s Minority Stress Model postulates that this may be due to unique stressors that result from a minoritized identity that may lead to poor mental health outcomes, such as suicidal ideation; individual and community level protective factors may buffer or protect from poor health outcomes. The purpose of this study is to identify protective factors that may be unique to transgender adults experiencing suicidal ideation in rural communities. Utilizing a grounded theory approach, a homogenous group of …

Examining Barriers And Motivation Toward University Stem Faculty Research Success, Jordan A. Jaeger

Theses and Dissertations

All university faculty pursuing scholarly goals tackle complex tasks over long periods, yet some must overcome additional adversity and challenges to succeed. Recent studies have measured faculty research success according to their self-reported accomplishments in research activities, publications, and grant writing, and motivation was a predictor of success (Stupnisky, BrckaLorenz, et al., 2019; Stupnisky et al., 2023). This dissertation describes a three-study program of research that examined how faculty navigated barriers to research success through the lens of different theories of motivation.Faculty face barriers in completing research because it often involves a lengthy and emotion filled process, from research design …

A Thematic Analysis: A Lived Experience Raising A Child Diagnosed With A Neurodevelopmental Disability In A Rural Community, Matthew Kettelhake

Theses and Dissertations

In the United States, about 17% of children between the age of 3 and 18 are diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disability (Zablowsky et al; 2019). About 14% of the population lives in a rural community (USDA, 2020). Being part of a rural community has additional challenges urban areas may not face (Sharpley et al., 1997; Hasting &Taunt, 2002; Gerstein et al.,2009; Dabrokska & Pisula, 2010). Parents of children diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disability also face additional challenges than raising a neurotypical child. This study explored the themes and commonalities that arise from raising a child diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disability …

Unveiling Facilitators And Barriers Of Breastfeeding Initiation And Continuation And Designing Culturally Tailored Intervention For African American Mothers, Nadia Boahemaa Kyeremeh

Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the determinants of breastfeeding initiation and continuation among African American women in the United States and evaluates the effectiveness of an intervention using WordPress to disseminate culturally relevant breastfeeding information to African American women. First, secondary data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) was used to test factors influencing breastfeeding initiation and continuation among White and Black women. The results showed that the foreign-born (vs. US-born) status, residing (vs. non-residing) with grandparents, and strong (vs. weak) cultural identity were positively associated with breastfeeding initiation and continuation across racial groups. Based on the secondary …

The Mediating Role Of Emotion Regulation On Attachment Styles, Relationship Quality, And Internalizing Symptoms Among Emerging Adults, Summer Rae Lardy

Theses and Dissertations

Internalizing symptoms, such as anxiety and depression, impact a substantial number of emerging adults each year. Previous literature has examined relationship quality’s impact on internalizing symptoms but has yet to include emotion regulation. Therefore, both intra- and interpersonal emotion regulation’s impact on the well-established association between relationship quality and internalizing symptoms was assessed. Two-hundred and fifty-nine emerging adults were surveyed on the factors of: Relationship Quality, Attachment Style, Relationship Maintenance Behaviors, Intrapersonal Emotion Regulation, Interpersonal Emotion Regulation, Depression and Anxiety symptoms. As hypothesized, results found a negative, moderate correlation between relationship quality and internalizing symptoms (r = -.54). Additionally, there …

Engaging Telepsychology As A Culturally Appropriate Communicative Approach For Mental Health Intervention For Women In Ondo State, Nigeria, Toyosi Motilola Olola

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Assessing the mental health issues among Nigerian women is complex due to cultural norms, stigmatization, and traditional beliefs, which often lead to the concealment of mental health problems. Mental health issues are frequently seen through a spiritual or supernatural lens, exacerbating stigma and preventing proper medical care. There is also a lack of comprehensive data on help-seeking behaviors, with many women relying on religious leaders and traditional healers for support. Telepsychology can solve these communication challenges by offering a confidential and accessible platform that bridges traditional beliefs and modern mental health care. This study explores cultural influences on help-seeking …

Echo: A Graphical User Interface Designed To Simulate, Study, And Mitigate Effects Of Interplanetary Communication Delays In Analog Missions, Dario Gabriel Schor

Theses and Dissertations

Due to the vast distances between Earth and other planets, future human interplanetary missions will experience significant communication delays. The literature suggests that a combination of training, protocols, procedures, and tools is required to mitigate the negative impact that the communication delay has on both stress and performance. This research introduces a tool called ECHO that combines known and novel features designed to make users cognizant of the delay and avoid misunderstandings. ECHO was tested as part of a mixed-methods study over the course of three analog missions at the University of North Dakota's Integrated Lunar/Mars Habitat where a total …

A Student Co-Creation Lab As A Sustainable System For Oer Development, Sarah Ann Stokes

Theses and Dissertations

Open educational resources (OER) are digital and non-digital resources for teaching, learning, and research that are available for no cost and licensed with various open licenses, permitting their widespread modification and use. While these resources afford benefits to post-secondary students in terms of reduced cost, ease of access, and potential for customization, faculty members in Ontario, Canada face many barriers to creating these resources for their classes. While many post-secondary institutions have engaged in some form of OER-development initiative, the initiatives are typically not sustainable in the long term. This study explores the model, including the tools, techniques, and workflows, …

Machine Learning-Assisted Materials Development: Molecular Solubility Prediction, Polymeric Membrane Fabrication, And Scale Formation, Arash Tayyebi

Theses and Dissertations

Experiments are generally time-consuming, expensive, and rely on exhaustive planning, analysis, and testing efforts. The limitations of the traditional experimental methods in materials development can be overcome by the use of machine learning (ML) algorithms to guide and assess the discovery and fabrication processes. This dissertation involves developing different ML models, focusing on their utilization in three distinct, yet overlapping areas: Prediction of organic compound aqueous solubility, guiding separation membranes fabrication and predicting scale formation in commercially produced water systems.Prediction of organic compound aqueous solubility: A reliable and practical determination of a chemical species’ solubility in aqueous systems continues to …

The Potential Value Of The Mcmi-Iv And Pid-5 In Physical Violence Risk Assessments, Courtney Tindell

Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to explore and identify factors from two common personality measures, the Personality Inventory for the DSM-5 (PID-5) and Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-IV (MCMI-IV), to aid in the prediction of lifetime physical violence. Contemporary violence risk assessments center around structured professional judgment, which often includes risk management factors. The MCMI-IV was developed to provide insight into an individual’s motivations, needs, and behaviors based on their personality type. Thus, the MCMI-IV was thought to have the potential to provide unique insight into treatment protocols for violence reduction and prevention. Based on previous research and theory, four facet and two …

Using Libensemble To Enhance Numerical Ice-Sheet Flow Simulations, Kuang Hsu Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Here, we interface an ice sheet flow model, FastIceFlo v1.0, with the Python toolkitlibEnsemble to enable dynamic ensembles of computations. We test the interface’s capability to perform dynamic ensembles of computations by conducting a sensitivity analysis. The results indicate the interface’s ability to perform dynamic ensembles of computations. Future work could extend the interface to include mass balance to run prognostic simulations. The eventual goal is to run simulation ensembles of large-scale ice sheets forward in time to better assess its sea level contribution sensitivity to uncertainties in climate forcing parameterization.

Administering Psychological Tele-Assessment: A Delphi Study, Amanda Willyard Walkowiak

Theses and Dissertations

The Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak increased demand for telehealth services for mental health providers (Zhou et al., 2020). To our knowledge, conducting psychological assessments through tele-health platforms has limited empirical and ethical support (Wright et al., 2020; Stifel et al., 2020; American Psychological Association [APA], 2020a). Moving from traditional to remote testing administration requires preparation, training, and practice (Joint Task Force for the Development of Telepsychology Guidelines for Psychologists [Telepsychology Task Force], 2013; Wright et al., 2020). Even if psychologists have access to test materials and the necessary technology to conduct tele-assessments, they may not have the training and clinical …