Digital Commons Network^™

The Utilization Of Grassroots Organizing By Black Women Pioneers To Achieve Reproductive Justice., Madison Ruth Ellsworth

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since enslavement in the United States Black women have cultivated different ways to fight for their Reproductive Justice. After emancipation Black women have continued to utilize the practices learned from our ancestors to obtain Reproductive Justice. Despite the women’s movement becoming mainstream in the 1960s many Black women continued to grassroots organize to adequately address the issues that were unique to them. The efforts of various Black women organizers tend to go unacknowledged because the mainstream women’s movement attracts the attention of most. In my research I focused on Byllye Avery, Loretta Ross, and Toni Bond to explore and showcase …

Modifiers Of The Effects Of Different Dimensions Of Social Support On Cardiac Rehabilitation Adherence., Melissa Amraotkar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Cardiac Rehabilitation (CR) is a Class I, level A indication for treatment and prevention further complications of CVD. The attendance rate for CR in the U.S. is very low, especially among female patients. Dimensions of social support, sex of the support provider, and the quality of primary intimate relationship are associated with health-promoting behavior and may influence CR adherence in patients. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between dimensions of social support and CR adherence, and whether these relationships were moderated by factors such …

Fly Ash Based Geopolymer: Water, Curing Temperature And, Cao Content Effects On Microstructure And Compressive Strength., Lujain Salem

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Geopolymer, an emerging alternative to Portland cement-based concrete, relies on alumina and silica-rich precursors like fly ash for its formation. Geopolymerization is a chemical process that creates a three-dimensional polymer network by reacting with an alkaline activator. While fly ash's calcium oxide (CaO) content is crucial in its classification, it behaves differently in geopolymerization, where it competes with hydration. Therefore, a better understanding of the impact of CaO content in fly ash on geopolymerization is needed to effectively utilize fly ash. This study investigates the effects of CaO content, water, and curing temperature on geopolymerization. Using fly ash from a …

Social Undermining Among Police Officers In The United States., Weston B. Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Policing is a large and critical part of the American criminal justice system. Although a focal study group for research, little is known of how social undermining impacts police officers and organizations. Social undermining can cause a variety of negative consequences, including lower job satisfaction, reduction in work-related outcomes, and mental and physical health problems (Duffy et al., 2002; Hershcovis & Barling, 2010; Sabeen & Arshad, 2019). To date, no study has examined social undermining in police officers within the United States. This qualitative research examined social undermining among police officers. Using a blend of inductive and deductive thematic analysis, …

W.E. B. Du Bois And Audre Lorde's Pan-African Development: Remedies For The Problem Of Othering., J.E. Young

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

W.E.B. Du Bois and Audre Lorde’s Pan-African Development: Remedies for the Problem of Othering is an Afrocentric reading of Black U.S intellectual traditions of self-definition from the late 19th to early 21st century. I argue that W.E.B. Du Bois and Audre Lorde adhered to two major Afrocentric principles: balance and justice. At the root of these principles is the understanding that binaries constructed as oppositions create unjust hierarchies. My theoretical approach is attuned to the distinct ways that Du Bois and Lorde communicated the importance of self-definition and Africana spirituality in relationship to other Black intellectual thought. Placing them in …

Transforming Into A Politically Engaged Actor Through Gem Of The Ocean., Tajleed Steven Hardy

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores my transformation into a politically engaged theatre artist through my performance as Citizen Barlow in the University of Louisville's Department of Theatre Arts’ 2024 production of August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean. My thesis defines the characteristics of a politically engaged theatre artist and proposes specific ways actors can prepare to perform in any production of any play. My transformation into a politically engaged theatre artist resulted from a combination of the skills I gathered as an undergraduate student at Norfolk State University and the new analytical and acting techniques I learned as an MFA in …

Are The Good Times Really Over For Good? American Political Nostalgia's Relationship With Rurality, Authoritarianism, And Victimhood., Chancellor R. Peterson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There are many discussions about why rural and urban Americans exhibit different attitudes about politics, partisan loyalties, and ideologies. Some of these differences can be explained by psychological processes and traits. People act differently and influence (or are influenced by) political processes differently based on their perceptions of and emotions regarding the past, present, and future states of the world. The same is true with rural and urban Americans. This research will investigate the effects of one potent emotion on political attitudes: nostalgia. Prior research has indicated that political nostalgia can be harnessed as a strong political tool. This thesis …

The Impersonation Artist: A Novel With Critical Afterword: Displacement And Dissent In Fiction And Art., Flora K. Schildknecht

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of a creative project, The Impersonation Artist: A Novel, and a critical afterword, “Displacement and Dissent in Fiction and Art.” On a narrative level, The Impersonation Artist engages the question of how, and if, participatory art can reveal and intervene in oppressive conditions. The novel employs a stylistic methodology in which the use of multiple narrators and narrative fragmentation formally gestures toward the complex dilemma of how artists might intervene in contemporary problems in the face of conflicting ideologies and ever increasing precarity. The novel follows three characters: an environmental activist; a young man veering towards …

Pre-Columbian Soil Management, Settlement, And Land Use In Amazonia: Insights Using Micro-Regional Predictive Modelling In Gurupá, Brazil., Lauren Zacks

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The results of a micro-regional predictive model of terra preta sites in the municipality of Gurupá are presented here. A Maximum Entropy approach was selected and modified to fit a presence-background model, rather than a presence-absence model typical of binary classifications. 13 known terra preta sites were used as input samples for the relative suitability model, with explanatory variables in the respective categories of topography, hydrology, soil type and vegetation index. A 30m spatial resolution DEM served as the basis for the former two categories, while additional TauDEM analysis was performed for the hydrology category. A Sentinel-2A mosaicked quarterly composite …

Preserving Archaeology In The Digital Age: Evaluating Strategies For Effective Curation And Database Management., Cenetria Leshun Crockett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The “curation crisis” is a dark cloud that consistently looms over the archaeological discipline, affecting the ways we plan, execute, and curate research projects. It is especially prominent within curation facilities and institutions that have the duty to preserve archaeological collections. The development of digital curation presents an avenue through which curators and collection managers can combat the crisis. Digital curation grants collection managers the ability to manage and ensure archaeological collection accessibility. Digital collection databases, particularly, have grown to become a significant component of collection management as it permits collections to be easily preserved, managed, saved, and accessible at …

Do American Bison Practice Democracy? Group Consensus Decision Making Drives Bison Herd Movements And Cohesion., Matthew Sapien

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The American bison is an iconic mammal that lives in large social herds and is considered a threatened species. Little is known about how bison make decisions as a group, whether through despotic individuals or group consensus. In this dissertation, I researched the mechanisms bison use to make herd movement decisions in 3 herds in the United States. In chapter one I examined the number of bison that participated in voting events for herd movement decisions and whether the final movement decision matched the direction with the most votes. Bison herd movements did match the direction with the most adult …

Context Dependent Training Data Selection For Automatic Target Detection., Tylman Michael

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

An Automatic Target Detection (ATD) algorithm is capable of identifying the location of targets of interest captured by Infra-Red imagery in vastly different contexts. ATD is often a precursor in a 2-stage methodology in order to ascertain the location and nature of a target in both military and civilian applications. In order to train an ATD algorithm, a large amount of data from varied sources is required. One drawback of this requirement is that some sources of data may harm the performance of the method in different contexts. This thesis explores utilizing an unsupervised method to identify a subset of …

Mental Health Counseling For Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities: A Phenomenological Study Of Client Perspectives., Kathleen Nagle Barnett

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Mental illness is three to four times as prevalent among individuals with intellectual disabilities compared to those without intellectual disabilities (Munir, 2016). There is a body of research supporting the efficacy of mental health counseling to decrease symptoms and behaviors in individuals with intellectual disabilities, but scarce research exists which describes the experiences of these individuals. This interpretive phenomenological analysis was designed to gather information about how individuals with mild intellectual disabilities experience the four common components of psychotherapy that contribute to change (from Lambert, 1992; Thomas, 2006) – client and extra therapeutic factors, relationships factors, expectancy, and model / …

Examination Of Solutrean Lithic Technology At The Vale Boi Site, Southwestern Portugal., Jordan Durham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

During the Last Glacial Maximum (27 – 19 ka), much of northern Europe became uninhabitable as icesheets expanded causing populations to withdraw into refugia around south-central Europe. Southwestern Iberia served as an ecological refuge for hunter-gatherer populations due to favorable climate and resource availability. Solutrean (25 -19 ka) techno-complex represented shifts in human adaptations and new social configurations in Iberia. Lithic analysis of 1380 artifacts from Solutrean, Layer 3 Terrace, at the Vale Boi site (southwestern Portugal) permitted insights into hunter-gatherer cultural adaptations reflected in technological behavior. Major conclusions are: (a) Solutrean techno-complex at Vale Boi utilized expedient tool production …

Teacher Identity Matters: The Influence Of Identity On Student/Teacher Relationships And Special Education Student Performance., Jamil Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

I have had the opportunity of many years of experience in public education as a teacher who provides services for students who in Special Education. I have classes where there is a small group setting for content instruction, as well as the role of a “co-teacher” alongside general educators. From my work, I find that there are differences of expectations of success and rigor in the inclusive setting from the general education teacher, often resulting in deficits in their academic achievement when compared to their peers who do not receive services. As I developed my topic for this study, it …

Alabaster Glory., Chloe Cheng

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alabaster Glory includes three installations in the gallery space: 望(wàng), 盛(chéng), and 余(yú). These components represent three stages of human life: the beginning, living on this earth, and the end. The core concept behind the three stages is the relationship between the creator (God) and creations, referring to humans that live in this broken world containing suffering, chaos, crime, conflict, or the personal experience of an inner void.

Alabaster Glory invites viewers to walk through the space first to encounter a magnitude of infant heart forms placed by a window, which intends to evoke curiosity about their quantity and symbolism. …

Development Of A High-Resolution Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy Apparatus For The Study Of Methane And Other Astrochemical Molecules., S M Shah Riyadh

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research documents steps towards building a novel spectroscopic technique, namely, cavity-enhanced double-resonance (CEDR) spectroscopy, for investigating methane (CH₄) and other molecules with significance in astrochemistry. These efforts focus on tackling the complexities of their ro-vibrational energy levels and the inefficiencies in analyzing vibrational spectra, particularly for molecules with high symmetry and strong intramolecular interactions. In the CEDR spectroscopy, the first photon, generated by a continuous-wave optical parametric oscillator (CW-OPO) locked to a Doppler-free saturation absorption line, excites the molecule from its ground level to a selected excited ro-vibrational (rotational-vibrational) level, e.g., that of the asymmetric CH-stretch mode. …

Multithreaded Applications On The Heterogeneous Research Computing Environment., Sungbo Jung

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Bioinformatics is a domain that has experienced rapid research growth in recent years, as evidenced by the increasing number of articles in biomedical databases such as PubMed, which adds over a million publications every year. However, this also poses a challenge for researchers who need to find relevant citations for their work. Therefore, developing efficient indexing and searching methods for text data is crucial for Bioinformatics. One key technique for information retrieval is document inversion, which involves creating an inverted index to enable efficient searching through vast collections of text or documents. This Ph.D. research aims to design the research …

A Case Study: The Influence Of Professional Development, Administrative Support, And Co-Planning On Teacher Perceptions Of Co-Teaching., Heidi Zimmerman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a case study methodology investigating the influence of professional development, administrator support, and co-planning on teacher perceptions of co-teaching. My interest in co-teaching increased as a former special education teacher after implementing co-teaching strategies in my own practice. As defined by the Kentucky Administrative Regulations, Collaboration means, a teacher of exceptional children works with children with disabilities in the regular classroom to provide specially designed instruction and related services (707 KAR 1:350, Section 2). Oftentimes, Collaboration and Co-Teaching may be used interchangeably. For the purpose of this study, the term Co-Teaching will be used throughout. The goal …

Utilizing Metal Ligand Cooperativity To Activate Small Molecules., Christine Burgan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The problems created from the excessive use of fossil fuels can be approached from two directions: capture the CO₂ from the atmosphere or develop alternative energy sources. The current industrial standards for these are environmental and/or health hazards and utilize precious metals, respectively. Metal ligand cooperativity (MLC) has emerged as a promising alternative to using precious metals to activate small molecules. In this dissertation, we focus on a series of metal complexes based on the ligand diacetyl-2-(4-methyl-thiosemicarbazone)-3-(2-hydrazinopyridine) (H₂L¹) for either hydrogen evolution or CO₂ capture. The novel complexes were characterized by ¹H NMR, …

Biofeedback Using Virtual Reality, Conscious Interoception, And Breathing Exercises Modulates Blood Pressure And Heart Rate Variability In People With And Without Cervical Spinal Cord Injuries., Rachel Torres

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

There is an immediate need for fast-acting blood pressure (BP) modification without the side effects of pharmaceutical interventions for people with cervical spinal cord injuries (SCI), who often suffer from dangerous increases and decreases in BP.^1,2 First, we compared mental to virtual reality (VR) imagery with the addition of breathing exercises and guided interoceptive attention, investigating participants’ ability to volitionally change their BP and heart rate variability (HRV), alternating three-minute stimulating and relaxing training cycles in 17 noninjured (NI) participants and 14 participants with SCI. Second, we trained 13 people with SCI and seven NI control participants for one …

A Qualitative Inquiry Into The Intersectionality Of Race, Gender, And Social Networks In Stem Education., La'ree Alexandria Shontee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the intersectional experiences of Black women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education by focusing on the strategic utilization of social capital to navigate systemic barriers and challenges. The unique struggles faced by Black women within predominantly white and male-dominated STEM programs are addressed in this study. Drawing on a growing body of literature, this research diverges from prevailing narratives of disinterest in or departure from STEM programs and instead illuminates proactive strategies employed by Black women. Through an exploration of social capital - encompassing networks, resources, and support systems - this study offers a comprehensive …

Acute Mechanical Circulatory Support In The Cardiovascular Icu: Investigating The Effects Of An Interactive Cardiovascular Dynamics Simulation Program On Nursing Clinical Judgment., Casey Saulman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Education on acute mechanical circulatory support (AMCS), a therapy used in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CICU) to manage cardiogenic shock (CGS) is limited for CICU nurses. There is a need to explore clinical judgment in CICU nurses and provide innovative learning experiences that foster judgment when managing AMCS. Methods: This mixed methods feasibility study investigated the effects of an interactive cardiovascular dynamics simulation program on CICU nurses’ knowledge, clinical reasoning, and clinical judgment. Semi-structured interviews explored the participants’ perceptions of the learning experience. Results: Twenty-one nurses completed the cardiovascular dynamics simulation program. The majority were white (85.7%), female …

Conceptualizing An Islamic Character Education Program., Norma Nangju

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Character education, specifically faith-based character education, can provide a social, emotional, and academic benefit for students. Through this study, I wanted to take the first step: to design an Islamic character education program collaboratively with all stakeholders of the school. This study used participatory action research as a methodology. The first purpose was for administrators, teachers, parents, students, and community members at an Islamic school in Louisville, KY to collaborate to brainstorm the goals of a character education program at HIRA Institute using the Nominal Group Technique. The second purpose was, based on these goals, how can the strategies of …

Investigations Of Physical Properties Of Novel Magnetic And Non- Magnetic Two-Dimensional (2d) Alloys., Mohammed Ameen Irziqat

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research work reports investigations of structural and physical properties of novel magnetic and non-magnetic 2D alloys. Three techniques were utilized in this investigation: Angle-resolved polarized Raman spectroscopy (ARPRS), Electrical &Thermoelectric power measurements, Magneto-optic Kerr effect (MOKE) spectroscopy. ARPRS and MOKE experiments were constructed during the course of this work. ARPRS was used to study the anisotropy of 2-dimensional black-arsenic phosphors (b-AsxP1-x) as a function of arsenic concentration (x). It was observed experimentally that all Raman modes of the studied samples with x=0, 0.4, 0.8 exhibit polarization dependence. More interestingly, the polarization dependence of Raman modes due to the vibrations …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Social Capital And Its Influence On Baccalaureate Degree Completion Of First-Generation African American Men At The University Of Louisville., Joseph Marshall Goodman Iii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative dissertation was designed to examine influences which various forms of social capital have on post-secondary degree attainment of first-generation individuals who self-identify as African American men. Additionally, the sample population consisted of Black men who successfully matriculated to earn baccalaureate credentials across differing academic disciplines at a public historically White institution located in the mid-south region of the United States. The research data was extracted from one-on-one, semi-structured interviews using authentic dialogue through open-ended questions. Theoretical paradigms of the study involved a phenomenological approach and an ontological philosophical assumption, integrated with critical theory, critical race theory and social …

Mechanical Property Simulations Of Ploybenzimidazole Membranes., Blake Alexander Clark

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This work explores mechanical properties of membranes made of polybenzimidazole utilizing molecular simulations. These simulations researchers to narrow down polybenzimidazole membrane compositions to viable candidates. These simulations are quicker than current purely experimental methods. The increase in throughput would be achieved by eliminating compositions that have unfavorable mechanical properties through preliminary simulation work before moving onto experimental methods. Determining polybenzimidazole membranes’ mechanical properties experimentally would, therefore, allow for researchers to speed up research in areas such as fuel cells and electrolyzers that make use of polybenzimidazole membranes. This study uses Materials Studio and the COMPASS III forcefield to perform these …

Mems Optical Cavities For Low Power Communication., Jacob Schopp

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis discusses the use of MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) optical cavities for use in low power communication. MEMS optical cavities are thin air gaps between an actuated MEMS mirror and a fixed glass encapsulation. By moving the MEMS mirror the reflectivity of the MEMS optical cavity can be changed. This change in reflectivity can be used to transmit information passively by modulating reflected light intensity instead of generating new light using a light source. These MEMS optical cavities are demonstrated using optical fibers for illumination delivery and reflected light collection. In addition to being reflected for communication, the illuminating light …

Suspension Of The Scoundrel: Applying Mental Health Strategies To The Acting Process., Nicholas Wills

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, the benefits of having mental health resources, practices and/or coordinators on set or available to help mitigate the mental health challenges that actors may face when portraying complex characters or engaging in emotional experiences while acting, are examined. Actors are required to fully immerse themselves into characters to ensure a full embodiment of the role being played. Without appropriate measures in place to address the actors’ feelings, emotions, and psychological state before, during, and after a production, the actor stands the risk of absorbing the impact of the character with no strategy for how to address the …

The Superhero Gothic: The Montrous Hero To The Heroic Monster In The Twentieth Century., John Darowski

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The influence of Gothic literature and its adaptations on the superhero genre has been profound. Both genres have an ideological project of the restoration of normalcy and order after disruption and disorder, thereby reinforcing cultural norms. However, their themes and methodologies are diametrically opposed. The Gothic is an exploration of the negative aesthetics of terror and horror, which reveal human weaknesses. The superhero is a power fantasy that celebrates justice and morality. A synthesis of the two creates a paradox: the monstrous hero—a Hoppen stand hero who takes on the attributes of a monster—who evolves into the heroic monster—a monster …