Digital Commons Network^™

More Than Just A Sticker Of Lgbtq+ Inclusivity: Exploring College And University-Based Lgbtq+ Center Director’S Process And Perceptions Of Lgbtq+ Campus Climate Assessments, James Luckman

Education Doctoral

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) students continue to be a growing population within higher education. This has led to further initiatives to enhance LGBTQ+ campus climate. Institutions of higher education across the United States have created LGBTQ+ centers, to enhance and cultivate an LGBTQ+ campus climate that promotes a sense of belonging and inclusion. The growing popularity and development of LGBTQ+ centers provide a physical space for students, and marketing materials to promote resources for students, with the potential to impact digital campus climate. However, there have been limited studies that focus on LGBTQ+ climate assessments from the …

Superintendent Turnover, Student Achievement, And Transformational Leadership In Urban K-12 Schools In New York State: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methods Study, Emily Wood

Education Doctoral

The persistent achievement disparities across income levels and between White students and students of Black and Hispanic heritage have been a problem faced by the United States education system for decades (Dorn et al., 2020). Transformative superintendent leadership effectively closes the achievement gaps in education (Leithwood, 2010). However, in New York State the average length of superintendency is 3 years and the superintendent's consistent turnover negatively affects school districts (Alsbury, 2008; DuFour & Marzano, 2011; Whitt, et al., 2015). Districts do not see district-wide improvement in teaching and learning without the substantial, consistent engagement of the district central office (Seashore …

Brief Resolved Unexplained Event (Brue), Children's Mercy Kansas City

Clinical Pathways

No abstract provided.

Music Therapy Perspectives In Popayan By Music Graduates From The Universidad Del Cauca, Laura Piedad Parra Acosta

Theses & Dissertations

This research explored the perspectives of music graduates from the Universidad del Cauca in Popayán, Colombia, regarding music therapy. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted to gather data from participants, who were music educators and performers. Descriptive statistics were employed to analyze the responses and derive insights. Findings revealed varying levels of awareness and knowledge about music therapy among participants, with the majority expressing interest in gaining a further understanding of how to incorporate music therapy techniques into their practice. Moreover, participants emphasized the potential benefits of music therapy for emotional well-being and mental health in educational and performance settings. This …

The Experience Of An Autistic And Neurotypical Sibling Dyad In Improvisational Music Therapy, Gianna Derusso

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the sibling relationship within improvisational music therapy, specifically the relationship between an autistic sibling and a neurotypical sibling. The following research question was posed: How does the relationship between a neurotypical and autistic sibling dyad present in improvisational music therapy? Subquestions to the research questions included: How do a neurotypical and autistic sibling dyad interact with one another within an improvisational music therapy session?, and How do a neurotypical and autistic sibling dyad interact with the music therapist within an improvisational music therapy session? An autistic and neurotypical sibling dyad was recruited, …

The Experience Of Home-Based Music Therapists Working With Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities: A Thematic Analysis, Sarah Mayr

Theses & Dissertations

According to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), an estimated 7.38 million people in the United States live with an intellectual and/or developmental disability (2021). Many individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DDs) reside in community-based settings, such as private residences, family members’ homes, or group homes (ACL, 2021). However, little research exists exploring home-based music therapy (HBMT) for people with I/DD, especially from the clinician’s perspective. Thus, this study examines the experiences of home-based music therapists working with individuals with I/DD to provide a foundational overview. Three music therapists working in home-based settings participated in semi-structured guided interviews, which …

Exploring Music Therapists' Experiences Of Utilizing A Family-Based Approach With Children Receiving Palliative Care, Faith Anne Agolia

Theses & Dissertations

This research study explored the experiences of three music therapists who employ a family-based approach with families whose children are receiving palliative care. Literature addressing the benefits of music therapy for people in palliative care exists, but little is known about the lived experience of music therapists who work in these settings. Music therapists were recruited through purposive sampling. Through phenomenological microanalysis, eight themes emerged: Family-based approach is natural, yet nuanced; the sacredness of the therapeutic relationship; positive memory making through legacy as a means to family connectedness; vicarious trauma; intentional self-care and coping; feeling siloed and experiencing challenges within …

Comparing The Impact Of Client-Led Music Therapy With Autistic Clients Enrolled In An Applied Behavior Analysis Program Versus Those In Standard Care, Annie Fitzgerald

Theses & Dissertations

This study investigates the efficacy of client-led music therapy as a complementary intervention for enhancing aspects of social and behavioral functioning in autistic children enrolled in applied behavior analysis (ABA) programs compared to those in standard care. Utilizing a quantitative approach with pre- and post-intervention assessments, the study evaluates changes across categories of Social Communication, Social Cognition, Social Awareness, Social Motivation, and Restricted Interests and Repetitive Behaviors using the Social Responsiveness Scale-2 (SRS-2). Findings reveal no statistically significant differences in pre- to postintervention scores for either group, yet promising trends emerge. In the study, child-led music therapy within ABA interventions …

Experiences In Vocal Psychotherapy Of A Music Therapy Intern With Post-Covid Symptoms, Kyungwon Matilda Choi

Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore my experiences in vocal psychotherapy as a music therapy intern with Long COVID symptoms. This study employed a first-person qualitative research design by assessing two personal therapy sessions with heuristic inquiry. I analyzed my experience as a client receiving 60-minute individual vocal psychotherapy sessions. The music therapist was a trained (certified) vocal psychotherapist with at least five years of clinical practice. Data were collected from recorded session audio/video and personal journals. The recorded session audio/video were transcribed so the data could be analyzed. I asked and answered the research questions as this …

Determination Of Factors Influencing Microbial Food Safety Risks Of Additive Manufacturing And 3d Printing Of Food, Allyson Nichole Hamilton

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The burgeoning field of 3D food printing introduces opportunities for customizing the physicochemical properties of food, offering tailored solutions in color, shape, and texture. Despite its potential, the implications of this technology on food safety, particularly the efficacy of manufacturer-recommended cleaning protocols for stainless steel food ink capsules, the transferability of pathogens from a contaminated food ink capsule into the food ink based on macronutrient composition of the food, and the impact of storage conditions on pathogen viability, have not been thoroughly investigated. This dissertation provides a comprehensive analysis of these aspects, focusing on the control of foodborne pathogens and …

Hardware Trojan Detection Utilizing Graph Neural Networks And Structural Checking, Hunter Nauman

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The integrated circuit (IC) industry has experienced exponential growth, particularly in the complexity and scale of hardware designs. To sustain this growth, faster development cycles and cost-effective solutions have been the focus for many companies. One strategy to maintain this growth is through the incorporation of third-party intellectual property (IP) into the IC design process. Outsourcing the production of sub-components reduces development time and enables faster time-to-market, however, this approach also introduces the threat of Hardware Trojans. Hardware Trojans, defined as any malicious modification or addition to an IC, pose significant security risks due to their small size, low activation …

Ꮝꮘꮝꮩꮝꮣꭲ Ꭴᏸꭷꭲ Ꮢꭹ Ꭲꮎꭸ Ꭱꭿ: Reclamation Stories Of Indigenous Graduate Students At A Native American Serving Nontribal Institution, Sky B. Wildcat

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The experiences of Indigenous graduate students in higher education are underrecognized in research and scholarship. Similarly, the experiences of Indigenous students, undergraduate or graduate, within Native American Serving NonTribal Institutions (NASNTIs) are largely excluded from research and scholarship. Although NASNTI designation is only dependent on the Indigenous undergraduate student population at an institution, the stories shared through this research signify the importance of considering Indigenous graduate students experiences at a NASNTI. The conceptual framework consisted of four core foundations as outlined by Kovach (2021), including ᎦᏚᏩ (ga-du-wa) knowledge, relational accountability, the Indigenous community of the NASNTI, and the situating of …

Multicultural Organizational Development (Mcod) Scans Of Public Space In Milner Library, Fall 2023: External Report, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, And Access Committee, Milner Library

Reports and White Papers - Milner Library

In November 2023, Milner Library’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Committee conducted Multicultural Organizational Development (MCOD) scans of the library’s public spaces, wishing to follow up on a previous series of MCOD scans conducted in 2021.

Catfish Dinner & Other Malicious Morsels, Bonnie Klein

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Catfish Dinner & Other Malicious Morsels is a collection of short stories utilizing the combined elements of Fantasy, Southern, and Gothic Literature. The collection demonstrates the feasibility of combining the three different literary genres, each with its own strong identity and literary history, in a work that appeals to readers reaching the age of young adulthood. Named for the titular story, the collection features seven short stories of varying lengths depicting the cultural influence of food, community morals, storytelling, and nature in East Texas communities. Each story is told through third-person point of view of a different character. The stories …

Characterizing The Nonequilibrium Driving Forces Responsible For The Emergence Of Life, Charles Davis Kocher

Electronic Dissertations and Theses, 2010-current

Uncovering the origin of life on earth remains a grand challenge problem for the natural sciences. Some headway has been made by reasoning about which biological macromolecules were the first to appear, as in the well-known "RNA world" hypothesis. However, new approaches are needed for further advances. We seek instead the physical driving forces, powered by nonequilibrium supplies of energy, that could have compelled the emergence of life from simple chemistry in the capricious environments of the early earth. This perspective leads us to examine the prebiotic origins and characteristics not of molecule types, but of the dynamical principles of …

Green Synthesis Of Silver And Titanium Nanoparticles Using Erythrina Variegata Root Bark Extract And Evaluation Of Their Antioxidant And Cytotoxicity Effectiveness, Naiyah Mcdaniel

All Theses

Erythrina variegata belongs to the Erythrina genus, which consists of approximately 110 species of trees and shrubs. In its native regions, different parts of the plant have been used for its effectiveness in treating asthma, epilepsy, bacterial infections, and wounds. Characterization studies have been done for this plant, and researchers have identified several alkaloids, flavonoids, and other active phytoconstituents that help treat different ailments. Prior research has focused on the phytochemical profile of E. variegata’s leaves, flowers, and stem bark. This work aimed to address gaps in the characterization of E. variegata’s root bark while exploring the effectiveness of titanium …

The Swift Effect: How Popstar Taylor Swift Has Brought Business And Viewership To The National Football League, Mckenna Baron

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

Big reputation. Two words that perfectly define the twelve-time Grammy award-winning, and Time’s 2023 Person of the Year, Taylor Swift. Swift had a monumental year in 2023. Her Era's tour is going down in history as one of the biggest tours to date. Swift is one of the most decorated music artists of all time. Swift’s love life had been kept quiet for the past few years until her recent relationship with football star Travis Kelce made headlines on the news. Kelce and Swift have taken the National Football League (NFL) and Swifties by storm, transforming the business and viewership …

Genocide Dressed In Jeans: Does Sharing A Narrative About The Uyghur Population Alter Opinions About Fast Fashion, Danya Radhi

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

One of the most cherished traditions on our University of Arkansas campus is the etching of names onto Senior Walk each year. On any given day, thousands of students stroll across these beautiful sidewalks as they venture to and from class. Dressed in the latest fashions from iconic brands such as Zara, H&M, and Nike, these students are far removed from the tragedy that has befallen the Uyghur population living in the Xinjiang province, 6,914 miles away. Evidence has been mounting that the Uyghur population has been suffering through massive displacement, forced labor camps, and atrocities that we cannot even …

Business Plan For Seamless Custom Clothing Designs, Bella Steketee

Marketing Undergraduate Honors Theses

The following Honors Thesis demonstrates a business plan for Seamless Custom Clothing Designs, an Artificial Intelligence platform that offers customers the ability to design their own clothing items to their preferred level of customization. All components of a start-up business operation are included.

Musselwhite: A Case Study In The Development Of Modern Legend In The American South, Ella J. Lauderdale

Honors Theses

The development of modern legend is widely researched, and there are many theories on the involvement of rumor and truth in the creation of folk stories. However, there are often few opportunities to look at the development of a modern legend in detail from beginning to end. The legend of Luther Musselwhite is unique in that it begins at a relatively fixed time, and the generations present during that time are still available to interview. This case study traces the development of this modern legend in Mississippi and analyzes the possible motivations for the spread and development of modern legends …

Understanding The Functional Role Of Lone Star Tick (Amblyomma Americanum) Threonyl-Trna Synthetase In Reproductive Fitness, Anza Ali

Honors Theses

Introduction: Transfer RNA synthetases are a family of enzymes that catalyze the addition of amino acids to their corresponding transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and play an essential role in protein synthesis. Ticks are obligate hematophagous ectoparasites that rely on prolonged feeding periods to complete their life cycle on a vertebrate host. Tick tRNA synthetases help the tick in continuous protein synthesis for efficient blood feeding and reproductive fitness, thus presenting a potential target for developing new tick control strategies. Studies have been conducted assessing the functionality of different tRNA synthetases such as Valine-tRNA synthetase, Asparagine-tRNA synthetase, Lysine-tRNA synthetase, and Leucine-tRNA synthetase …

Adults Matter Too: An Examination Of State Adult Missing Persons Policies And Procedures To Implement A Best Practices Handbook, Hunter Smith

Honors Theses

The most recent estimates put the number of active missing person records at 97,127. Over the past eight years, child active records have decreased by 2,530, while adult active records have increased by 14,696. While there is no clear explanation for this trend, a common theory is that there are multiple federal and state laws requiring the entry of missing people under the age of 2; however, very few, if any, extend to adults. Additionally, there is a lack of standardization across available policies and procedures for where these cases should be reported, the time frame for doing so, and …

Silver Nanoparticle Biosynthesis Utilizing Ocimum Kilimandscharicum Leaf Extract And Assessment Of Its Antibacterial Activity Against Certain Chosen Bacteria, Horyomba Siaka Ouandaogo, Souleymane Diallo, Eddy Odari, Johnson Kinyu

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

The use of plants in the biological production of silver nanoparticles for antibacterial applications is a growing field of research. In the current work, we formulated Ocimum kilimandscharicum extracts using silver nanoparticles, and evaluated its potential antibacterial activity. Aqueous and methanol plant extracts were used to reduce silver nitrate at different time intervals (30 to 150 minutes) and pH (2 to 11). The UV-visible absorption spectrum recorded for methanol and aqueous extracts revealed a successful synthesis of AgNPs for methanol and aqueous extracts. The antimicrobial activity of the AgNPs was evaluated against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Salmonella choleraesuius ATCC 10708, …

Use Of Modelling Tools To Assess Climate Change Impacts On Smallholder Oil Seed Yields In South Africa, Priscilla Ntuchu Kephe, Siyabusa Mkuhlani, Farirai Rusere, Abel Chemura

All Peer-Reviewed Publications

Oil seed crops are the second most important field crops after cereals in the agricultural economy globally. The use and demand for oilseed crops such as groundnut, soybean and sunflower have grown significantly, but climate change is expected to alter the agroecological conditions required for oilseed crop production. This study aims to present an approach that utilizes decision-making tools to assess the potential climate change impacts on groundnut, soybean and sunflower yields and the greenhouse gas emissions from the management of the crops. The Decision Support Tool for Agrotechnology Transfer (DSSAT v4.7), a dynamic crop model and the Cool Farm …

Antioxidant Activities And Protective Effects Of Shorea Macrophylla Leaf And Bark Extracts, Salfarina Ramli, Nik Nor Sabrina Sukri, Nur Adhwa’ Faqihah Zulkifli, Donna Maretta Ariestanti, Chee Yan Choo, Hasseri Halim, Nurhuda Manshoor, Richard Johari James

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Shorea macrophylla, also known as the ‘Engkabang’ tree or Light Red Meranti, is renowned for its role in reforestation efforts. Despite lacking records of traditional use, the reported biological activities of other species within the Shorea genus spark curiosity about the potential biological activities of this plant. Therefore, this study aims to explore the antioxidant capabilities of S. macrophylla leaf and bark extracts, along with their protective effects against oxidative stress using a brine shrimp model. In the evaluation of antioxidant potential, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays were employed. Extracts were incubated in …

Physico-Chemical, Organoleptic, And Antioxidant Properties Of Black Soybean Flour (Glycine Soja (L.) Merrit) Flakes With The Addition Of Bangle (Zingiber Purpureum Roxb.), Ika Dyah Kumalasari, Nurkhasanah Nurkhasanah, Sepitriani Sepitriani

Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research

Flakes are products that are generally made from cereals. In this study, we are interested to use black soybean (Glycine soja (L) Merrit) and bangle (Zingiber purpureum Roxb.) as flakes ingredients. Black soybeans have high antioxidant components, while bangle contains high antioxidant and fiber components, which enables it to capture free radicals. This study aimed to find the most favorable formula with good physical, chemical, and organoleptic characteristics, which also has the highest antioxidant activity. We used the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) method and the variation of formulation used was the ratio of black soybean flour to bangle …

Estimation Of Benefits From Pedestrian And Bicycle Improvements, Dionysios Tzamakos, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, William Staats, Teng Wang, Reginald Souleyrette

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Delivering safe mobility for all users of the transportation system is a key priority of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). Because many system users rely on pedestrian and bicycle facilities, it is critical for KYTC to balance pedestrian and bicycle facility accommodations with those for motorized users. Currently, the Strategic Highway Investment Formula for Tomorrow (SHIFT) — the Cabinet’s systematic approach to scoring and prioritizing proposed roadway projects — awards up to five points (out of a possible total of 100) for pedestrian and bicycle projects. But the agency lacks a robust method for estimating the benefits of pedestrian and …

Sexism, Religion, And Politics: An Examination Of Rape Myth Acceptance, Danielle E. Wetuski

All Dissertations

The literature is inconclusive about the relationship between religion, politics, sexism, rape myth acceptance, and the behavioral implications of the latter. Therefore, the goal of this study was to develop an understanding of the relationship between religion, political affiliation, sexism, and rape myth acceptance. The study utilized primary data collection through surveys of youth using MTurk. The survey involved the administration of the Faith Activities Scale, Moral Foundations Scale, Religious Fundamentalism Scale, Modern Sexism Scale, Ambivalent Sexism Scale, Gender Stereotypes Scale, and the Gender Inclusive Rape Myth Acceptance Scale. Data were analyzed through structural equation modeling to indicate which political …

The Adultification Of African American Girls: Perceptions, Experiences, And Impact On Behavior, Sherie Sara Sam

All Dissertations

Adultification occurs when adults treat children like they are more mature than they are. This is particularly likely to happen to African American children (Pope, 2022). Adultification in homes is the result of deficits in the adult figures; however, adultification outside of the family, cemented with implicit biases, has negative consequences for young African American children (Cooke & Halberstadt, 2021). These biases can negatively impact their self-concept. Furthermore, it may jeopardize their health, education, experiences with discipline, and likelihood of contact with the justice system (Koch & Kozhumam, 2022).

This qualitative descriptive study utilized focus groups of primarily young adults …

Exploring The Experiences Of African American Middle School Stem Teachers, Stephen J. Minter

All Dissertations

As society is continuously in a space of changing politics and social structure, the educational landscape continues to be plagued by several inconvenient truths for African American educators. One truth is the lack of representation of African American teachers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) areas. In a 2016 USDE report titled The State of Racial Diversity in the Educator, the report indicated that in the 2011-2012 school year, White educators made up 82% of the teachers in the nation.

Teachers often bring their life experiences, cultures and ideologies into their classrooms and campuses painting them with their assumptions …