Digital Commons Network^™

Heritage Language Maintenance, Language Socialization, And Family Language Policy: An Ethnographic Case Study Of A Trilingual Family, Rosiane Barcelos De Oliveira

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Today, about 350 languages are spoken and signed in the United States, many of which are heritage languages (HL). A HL is a language to which a speaker has an ethnic, historical, or sentimental connection. This dissertation reports on an ethnographic case study on the language and literacy socialization practices of one trilingual family (English, Spanish, Portuguese) in their efforts to maintain Portuguese as their HL. The analysis of data focuses on three themes: (1) HLM activities during their religious practices; (2) the emotions connected to HLM; and (3) the family’s HLM practices when they travel to Brazil. Through a …

Dismantling Digital Inequalities: Urban High School Students' Perspectives Of Smartphones Use In Education, Artis Carneal Street

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to evaluate the use of and the attitude towards smartphone technology for in school and remote learning by urban high school students to reduce digital inequalities. High school students use smartphone technology in today’s society as an integral part of their lives. Yet the majority of the large school districts in the United States ban the use of students’ mobile phones in schools. Furthermore, while policy makers, school district personnel, and school administrators each year negotiate the school’s technology budget, technology use agreements, network maintenance, and which Internet application tools to adopt, almost all …

Dnp Final Report: Resilience Training For Entry-Level Bachelor Of Science In Nursing Students: An Evidence-Based Practice Project, Ashley N. Goar

DNP Final Reports

Nursing students have moderate to high levels of stress due to responsibilities, high expectations, course grades, and clinical requirements. The practice problem identified for this evidence-based practice project was that undergraduate nursing students had elevated levels of stress but did not know how to manage it. Multiple interventions have been used to address the problem, including positive thinking, mindfulness, resilience training, and distraction-focused therapies. The PICOT question “Will resilience training (I) for entry-level BSN students (P) affect stress (O) in less than three months (T)?” was developed to guide the systematic search for evidence. Based on the evidence, one hour …

Evaluation Of A Silicon Carbide Stiffening Layer For Silicon-On-Glass Thin-Film Transistors, Ankur Korad

Theses

Thin-film electronic devices based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) or low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) are currently utilized in the development of electro-optical systems. These systems require a transparent substrate and are commonly found in active-matrix flat-panel displays for handheld digital assistants, digital cameras, and smart phones, among other devices. The performance of these systems could be greatly enhanced in terms of speed, power consumption, resolution, and degree of integration if single-crystalline thin films became available. Corning’s Silicon-on-Glass (SiOG) technology, initially investigated prior to 2010, involved the transfer of single crystal silicon layers onto glass substrates using an anodic bonding process …

Leveraging Machine Learning For Enhanced Lead Quality Prediction: A Case Study Of Vam Consulting, Huthayfa Nawafleh

Theses

In today's data-driven business landscape, companies are increasingly leveraging data analytics and machine learning to optimize their lead management processes and enhance customer acquisition strategies. This research focuses on the application of data analytics and the CRISP-DM methodology to improve lead quality prediction and streamline the sales funnel for VAM Consulting, a company specializing in marketing and business technology solutions. VAM Consulting has been developing customer acquisition processes and digital marketing strategies since 2016, amassing a diverse portfolio of over 300 client projects. Despite their extensive experience and utilization of various technologies, the company faces challenges in optimizing lead generation …

Crime Rate Analysis And E-Crime Prevention In Dubai Using Machine Learning., Mohammad Ahmad Hatam

Theses

Globally increasing criminal activity, such as E Crimes, presents a serious threat to both economic growth and social welfare. Nevertheless, Dubai is a safety haven in the middle of this trend, as seen by the significant decline in major and non-alarming crimes during the first quarter of 2023. This study uses an examination of the large crime dataset (about 34,567 events) from the Dubai Police Department that spans 2019 to 2021. Several main goals are to be achieved by this work by using geospatial methods, predictive modelling, correlation investigations, and exploratory analysis. First of all, it looks for complex trends …

Creating A Unified Brand Identity For United Way Chapters In New York, Sarah Dejoy

Theses

Consistent and effective web design plays a role in enhancing the online presence and supporting the mission of nonprofit organizations (NPOs), which utilize online spaces to provide information to their constituents and the general public. This study centers on the web presence of United Way, presenting an analysis of the official websites of chapters in New York State. Visual rhetoric was used as the conceptual framework orienting the analysis, considering websites typically include written and visual texts intended to appeal to various audiences. The Brand Standards & Guidelines provided by United Way Worldwide were utilized to identify various website characteristics. …

Continuous Mobile Authentication Protocol For Iot Based Environment Supporting User Behavioural Profile, Saleem Emad Saleem Abdo

Theses

As the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem continues to spread, many researchers are addressing the need for robust and lightweight authentication mechanisms for both continuous and mobile IoT devices. However, the main issue that many face is the lack of a consensus on the definitions of both continuous and mobile IoT authentication. This thesis aims to investigate the diverse definitions and approaches surrounding continuous and mobile IoT authentication. We delve into the evolving landscape of authentication methods, protocols, and security measures tailored for IoT devices that operate in dynamic and mobile environments. A comprehensive survey navigates through the multifaceted dimensions …

Neural Network Characterization Methods For Noisy Quantum Hardware Results, Daniel Richard Breslawski

Theses

As the nascent quantum computing paradigm matures and quantum devices become widely available, discrete "eras" are emerging which characterize evolving quantum computing technologies, much like semiconductor technology node classifications. The current period has been coined the Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum (NISQ) era, as devices above 50 qubits in size exist but computations using these devices accumulate error quickly from classical interference sources and state decoherence. NISQ machines may surpass the capabilities of modern classical computers in ideal circumstances, but the accumulation of error from physical noise limits the size and implementability of reliable quantum algorithms. Because of these limitations, strategies are …

(Wp 2024-03) The Dynamic Temporal Sequence And Reflexive Adjustment Behavior: Foundations For A Behavioral Alternative To Optimization Theory, John B. Davis

Economics Working Papers

This paper discusses the difference between mainstream and heterodox economics in terms of philosophy’s distinction between two types of temporal sequences governing events: the static, truth-tenseless before-after sequence and the dynamic, truth-tensed past-present-future sequence. Mainstream theory and optimization analysis employs the first. However, Aristotle showed long ago this implies fatalism. Heterodox explanations employ the second, which I argue implies people reflexively adjust their choices over time in a combined backward-looking and forward-looking way that rules out optimization. Central to this explanation of behavior is how uncertainty about the future is connected to uncertainty about the past. I show this can …

The Second-Order Features Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis Methodology For Response-Coupled Forward/Adjoint Linear Systems (2nd-Fasam-L): Mathematical Framework And Illustrative Application To An Energy System, Dan Gabriel Cacuci

Faculty Publications

The Second-Order Features Adjoint Sensitivity Analysis Methodology for Response-Coupled Forward/Adjoint Linear Systems (abbreviated as “2nd-FASAM-L”), presented in this work, enables the most efficient computation of exactly obtained mathematical expressions of first- and second-order sensitivities of a generic system response with respect to the functions (“features”) of model parameters. Subsequently, the first- and second-order sensitivities with respect to the model’s uncertain parameters, boundaries, and internal interfaces are obtained analytically and exactly, without needing large-scale computations. Within the 2nd-FASAM-L methodology, the number of large-scale computations is proportional to the number of model features (defined as functions of model parameters), as opposed to …

Integrating Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Into Adult Education: Opportunities, Challenges, And Future Directions, Valerie A. Storey, Amiee Wagner

All Faculty and Staff Scholarship

This conceptual article provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration and its influence on adult education. It discusses generative AI technologies and their potential applications in adult education settings, examines the opportunities and ethical challenges associated with integrating AI, and provides insights into emerging trends. The article consists of five sections. The introduction provides a rationale as to why AI should be integrated into adult education. Second, it describes evolving AI technologies such as Large Language Models (LLM) for personalized learning, Machine Learning Algorithms for adaptive learning systems, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality …

A Dyadic Analysis Of Fat Talk And Body Esteem Amongst Romantic Couples, Marissa J. Sáez

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Due to high levels of body objectification within society, many individuals feel a strong need to "improve" their bodies. This mindset can lead individuals to speak negatively about their body, which is referred to as fat talk. This study examines the relationship between fat talk on one's own and their romantic partner's body esteem. Meaning, it is proposed that speaking negatively about one's body will impact not only their own body esteem, but also their romantic partner's body esteem. Data were collected from 112 participants (56 dyads). The results of the data supported both hypotheses, demonstrating that one's fat talk …

Advancing Near Surface Soil Moisture Measurements Using Robotics, Automation, And Remote Sensing, Hemanth Narayan Dakshinamurthy

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Near-surface soil moisture, or the water content within the soil, is important for understanding the interactions between land and the atmosphere, and for monitoring plants in agricultural settings. However, soil moisture can be highly variable within the same field and varies considerably with time. The challenge involved with measuring soil moisture is that traditional techniques that rely on obtaining large samples are labor and time-intensive, especially for large fields. Developments in sensor technologies have allowed users to record the soil moisture regularly at the points where the sensors are installed. However, to understand how soil moisture changes across a field …

Water Data Science: Data Driven Techniques, Training, And Tools For Improved Management Of High Frequency Water Resources Data, Amber Spackman Jones

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Electronic sensors can measure water and climate conditions at high frequency and generate large quantities of observed data. This work addresses data management challenges associated with the volume and complexity of high frequency water data. We developed techniques for automatically reviewing data, created materials for training water data managers, and explored existing and emerging technologies for sensor data management.

Data collected by sensors often include errors due to sensor failure or environmental conditions that need to be removed, labeled, or corrected before the data can be used for analysis. Manual review and correction of these data can be tedious and …

Experimental Nonnative Wood Addition Enhances Instream Habitat For Native Fishes And Investigating Dryland River Alterations, Benjamin J. Miller

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The rivers of the Colorado River Basin (CRB) have been degraded by human activities such flow regulation, water overallocation, and the introduction of invasive riparian vegetation (primarily tamarisk tamarix spp. and Russian olive Elaeagnus angustifolia). These stressors have resulted in widespread habitat loss and simplification, which is a major contributor to the endangerment of native fishes in the CRB.

The objectives of this study were to 1) assess the effectiveness of enhancing native fish habitat by experimentally adding cut wood from nonnative Russian olive to the San Juan River, a highly degraded dryland river, and 2) determine the …

On The Existence Of Periodic Traveling-Wave Solutions To Certain Systems Of Nonlinear, Dispersive Wave Equations, Jacob Daniels

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

A variety of physical phenomena can be modeled by systems of nonlinear, dispersive wave equations. Such examples include the propagation of a wave through a canal, deep ocean waves with small amplitude and long wavelength, and even the propagation of long-crested waves on the surface of lakes. An important task in the study of water wave equations is to determine whether a solution exists. This thesis aims to determine whether there exists solutions that both travel at a constant speed and are periodic for several systems of water wave equations. The work done in this thesis contributes to the subfields …

Vectors And Vector Borne Disease: Models For The Spread Of Curly Top Disease And Culex Mosquito Abundance, Rachel M. (Frantz) Georges

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Mathematical models are useful tools in managing infectious disease. When designed appropriately, these models can provide insight into disease incidence patterns and transmission rates. In this work, we present several models that provide information that is useful in monitoring diseases spread by insects.

In the first part of this dissertation, we present two models that predict disease incidence patterns for Curly Top disease (CT) in tomato crops. CT affects a wide variety of plants and is spread through the bite of the Beet Leafhopper. This disease is particularly devastating to tomato crops. When infected, tomato plants present with stunted growth …

Assessing Extant Methods For Generating G-Optimal Designs And A Novel Methodology To Compute The G-Score Of A Candidate Design, Hyrum John Hansen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Experimental designs are used by scientists to allocate treatments such that statistical inference is appropriate. Most traditional experimental designs have mathematical properties that make them desirable under certain conditions. Optimal experimental designs are those where the researcher can exercise total control over the treatment levels to maximize a chosen mathematical property. As is common in literature, the experimental design is represented as a matrix where each column represents a variable, and each row represents a trial. We define a function that takes as input the design matrix and outputs its score. We then algorithmically adjust each entry until a design …

Understanding Timing Error Characteristics From Overclocked Systolic Multiply-Accumulate Arrays In Fpgas, Andrew S. Chamberlin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is one of the biggest fields of research for computer hardware right now. Hardware accelerators are chips (such as graphics cards) that are purpose built to be the best at a specific type of operation. AI hardware accelerators are a growing field of research. Part of hardware in general is a digital clock that controls the pace at which computations occur. If this clock runs too quickly, the hardware won't have enough time to finish its computation. We call that a timing error. This paper focuses on studying the characteristics of timing errors in a small custom …

Development, Modeling, Identification, And Control Of Tilt-Rotor Evtol Aircraft, Clayton T. Spencer

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This thesis includes the development, modeling, identification, and control of an electric-Vertical-Take-Off-and-Landing (eVTOL) aircraft with tiltable rotors. The front two rotors have tilting capability for transition flight from vertical-take-off to forward-level flight. This work details the development of an eVTOL aircraft and the selection of sub components such as electric motors, batteries, and controllers. After the aircraft build, mathematical model is derived to describe the motion of the aircraft. Unknown parameters in the mathematical model are identified using a Least-Squares-regression (LSR) method that can handle parameter constraints. This is done using real flight data collected from the aircraft. Lastly, this …

Design And Implementation Of An Accelerated Lifetime Testing Platform For Silicon Carbide Mosfets, Conner Deppe

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In the last several years, the United States has seen a significant increase in sales of electric vehicles. The increase of electric vehicles brings the need for increased availability of public charging stations. In the last two years, satisfaction levels for public chargers have fallen significantly due to unreliability, which is raising concerns for new potential electric vehicle owners. To mitigate the reliability concerns, chargers must be physically understood so they can be consistently monitored to assess their health status. To understand the electric vehicle charging reliability, electrical components must first be understood. In the cutting-edge charging technology, the relatively …

Dismantling Barriers To Publishing: Identifying Types Of Negative Review Experiences And Strategies For Mitigating Them, Hannah L. Stevens

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This dissertation research focuses on academic publishing, particularly the peer review process, investigating gaps between journal guidelines and guidelines of inclusive publishing policy and processes. This project investigates the potential for supplementation of policy documents to cultivate a positive publishing experience. Moreover, this research continues the work of cultivating connections among authors, reviewers, editors, etc., in the drive to increase the accessibility and inclusivity of the publication process.

An Expansive Framing Intervention And Its Influence On Nursing Students' Perceptions Of Value For Mathematics, Kimberly Evagelatos Beck

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Nurses regularly use mathematics on the job, yet they often do not view their work as mathematical. This may indicate a lack of transfer from the nursing school mathematics context to nursing practice. Further, nursing students often perceive very little usefulness and relevance for learning mathematics beyond simple calculations. Expansive Framing (EF) is a theory and instructional technique that has been shown to foster transfer by establishing intercontextuality, or connections made between disparate contexts. This research explored whether creating intercontextuality created through broad framing also improved perceptions of mathematics value and transferability, and how intercontextuality functioned as the driver of …

The Coordination Of Multiple Mathematical Representations For Algebraic Functions In Secondary Mathematics Textbooks: A Content Analysis, Jet Viehweg Warr

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Utilizing mathematical representations makes mathematical processes and thinking visible for the observer as well as the individual doing the mathematics. Mathematical representations have multifaceted meaning and is a critical area of research in mathematics education because of its role in conceptual understanding. Specifically, the Coordination of Multiple Mathematical Representations (CMMR) incorporates the mathematical practices and reasoning and communication skills. This study used content analysis to investigate CMMR for the study of algebraic functions in secondary mathematics textbooks during five eras of mathematics education in the U.S. from 1896 through 2016: Pre-New Math, New Math, Back-to-Basics, Standards Based Math/No Child Left …

Recipes For Resistance: Examining The Reproduction Of Indigeneity Through Foodways At The Seneca Boston-Florence Higginbotham House, Nantucket, Ma, Caitriona Mackenzie Parker

Graduate Masters Theses

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Indigenous peoples on Nantucket defied settler-colonial narratives of erasure. Native Americans negotiated the dynamics of racism by increasingly interacting with a rapidly developing free-Black population on the island. In the mid-18th century, a predominately Black racialized community established itself, in which many Native Americans, particularly Native women, began to reside. Among these Native women was Thankful Micah, a fifth-generation Wampanoag who married Seneca Boston, an African American man. Archaeological excavations at the Seneca Boston-Florence Higginbotham House have revealed evidence of Indigenous cultural material; however, Indigenous identity at the site and in the community has …

Better Light Than Never: A New Radiative Mechanism For Observing Binary Black Holes, Paul Rioles

Graduate Masters Theses

Black holes are notoriously elusive, they are impossible to observe directly, and cur- rent methods of extracting information from behind their cosmic camouflage are both limited in number and experimentally difficult. The scope of this investigation is to ex- plore a proposed novel radiative mechanism for active similar mass binary black holes, affording new observational methods to investigate frequency inspirals of BH mergers. The explored mechanism is a result of each BH’s accretion of the surrounding plasma, creating voids that orbit throughout the plasma. The significant results described in this thesis include expressions for the frequency, power radiated per unit …

The Professional Roles And Functions Of School Psychologists In Alternative Vs Traditional Education, Staci C. Ballard

Graduate Doctoral Dissertations

Alternative Education Settings (AES) are unique environments that serve students whose educational and/or social-emotional needs are not being met in traditional schools. Students frequently enter AES with a range of mental health diagnoses, previous traumas, and behavioral/academic challenges. AES also serve many students from systemically marginalized and oppressed backgrounds, who are placed in these settings at higher rates than privileged peers. Considering these patterns, it becomes critical that AES provide effective student support, rather than serve simply to contain students based on disciplinary factors and convenience.

School psychologists, with training in mental health and education, are well-positioned to provide these …

Providers As Patients: The Healthcare Provider Experience Of Infertility In Tennessee, Michelle M. Clayton

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

While the effect of age and stress on fertility is widely known, those wishing to conceive children after career attainment or lengthy training programs are not adequately prepared with the knowledge or tools to mitigate the effects of these factors. Physicians and nurses, though trained to provide healthcare to others, are not immune to this struggle. In part due to the high prevalence of infertility in the United States (US), the lack of uniform policies to support this population, and the higher rates of infertility experienced by those in the healthcare field when compared to the general population, research focused …

Examining The Shared Decision-Making Preferences Of Adult Black Men With Hypertension In The U.S. Mid-South Region: A Mixed Methods Approach, Samantha Faith Calhoun

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Purpose. This study aimed to explore what factors are related to Black men’s shared decision-making (SDM) preferences for selecting hypertension (HTN) treatment and management options with a healthcare clinician. Methods. Researchers employed an exploratory sequential mixed methods design to explore factors influencing Black adult men's preferences for involvement in SDM regarding HTN treatment. Qualitative interviews with N=16 Black men identified factors related to SDM involvement, while a quantitative phase with N=105 Black men examined factors that could predict the level of involvement in SDM for HTN treatment. Results. Trust and having a female clinician were a significant independent predictor of …