Digital Commons Network^™

Broadcasting Bombs: Classifying Antecedent Behaviors And Strategizing Preventative Tactics In Lone-Actor Terrorists And Mass-Murderers, Julia Varvaro

Theses and Dissertations

The modern notion of a socially isolated lone-wolf terrorist and public mass- murderer is challenged by analyzing those individuals’ pre-attack behaviors. Many of these behaviors can be explained with theories such as Social Identity, Social Network, and Social Movement Theory, which examine the changes in human behavior to understand motivations. Properly classifying certain behaviors in a radicalized individual could help identify potential risk factors indicating an impending attack, prompting better responses, and solutions to strategize tactics and policies in preventing terrorism. Using existing literature and theory as the basis, this dissertation will examine common broadcasting behaviors of individuals who have …

A Mixed Methods Analysis Of Hurricane Trends And Experts’ Perception Of Future Military Hurricane Readiness, Ralph E. Scott

Theses and Dissertations

Guided by the four theories of disaster, two civil-military theories, and two communication theories, this mixed methods study was an investigation of whether hurricanes in the North Atlantic basin are increasing in frequency and whether Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) practitioners perceive the DoD is prepared to assist FEMA when the next major hurricane strikes. The DoD is a last resort with a unique and tremendous capability to support FEMA during hurricane response. To better understand hurricane trends and DoD’s hurricane response posture, this study was an analysis of 171 years of tropical cyclone data from the National Oceanic …

A Longitudinal Examination Of The Relations Between Racial Discrimination And Executive Function, Aldona Chorzepa

Theses and Dissertations

Discrimination has been linked to changes in executive function. This relationship may explain links between discrimination and adverse health and mental health outcomes, including depression, substance use, and health behavior. To date, the research examining this question has been limited, as the majority of studies reviewed employed experimental manipulations for discrimination exposure and tested acute same-day effects in the lab. Clarifying the extent to which exposure to discrimination impacts executive function over time in young adults is crucial to identifying opportunities for intervention. The current study evaluates the relations of both recent and lifetime exposure to racial discrimination to three …

Lgbtqia+ Educators Within New York City Public School Settings: A Narrative Study On Lived Experiences And The Negotiation Of Identities, Leticia Perez

Theses and Dissertations

Research on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and pansexual (LGBTQIA+) populations in education has mostly centered on the experiences of LGBTQIA+ students (Ferfolja & Hopkins, 2013). This narrative research study extends the focus of LGBTQIA+ school populations to include self-identified LGBTQIA+ educators working within New York City (NYC) public schools to understand how the lived experiences of NYC public school LGBTQIA+ educators impact their personal and professional self-perceptions, interactions with members of school communities, and their day-to-day practice. As a study grounded in critical, queer, and theories of belonging, this research sought to also identify …

The Personal Journey Of Individuals Self-Disclosing Their Disability Status Within An Urban Postsecondary Environment, Nelson Carrillo

Theses and Dissertations

A qualitative narrative study was conducted on the personal journey of individuals self-disclosing their disability status within an urban postsecondary environment. The study was intended to uncover the personal journey of students with disabilities self-disclosing their disability status within an urban postsecondary environment. Through semi-structured interviews and targeted journal responses, it explored the students’ lived experiences of seeking out and using accommodations and the students’ perceptions of faculty members’ use of universal design for instruction and universal design for learning. The findings demonstrated that a community-based institution that values diversity among professors, faculty members, and students is an environment that …

Hospitality In The Christian School Enrollment Process: How Theology And Theory Inform Professional Practice, Lane Rice

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Hospitality is an ever-growing area of academic inquiry. While some studies relating hospitality theory to the education field exist, there is a gap in the literature at the intersection point of hospitality theory and private Christian school enrollment practices. This case study seeks to explore the relationship between three theories emerging in hospitality research - social exchange theory, social identity theory, and the commitment trust theory of relationship marketing - and the theological and pragmatic guidelines for private Christian school enrollment offices.

The study related the three hospitality theories to philosophical/theological and pragmatic considerations through the literature review. Data regarding …

Winning Reflective Essay: 2024 Lhulra Winner Chelsea Kiefer, Chelsea Kiefer

2024 Lynn Haggard Undergraduate Library Research Award

No abstract provided.

Annual Report Of The Officers Of The Town Of Jackson, New Hampshire For The Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2023., Jackson Town Representatives

Jackson, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

Supporting Christian Gen Z Undergraduates Through Life Setbacks By Equipping Spiritual Directors, Brandon Taylor

Doctor of Ministry

The project within this portfolio seeks to help Christian Gen Z undergraduates at Biola University navigate setbacks in a way that fortifies their faith. Both anecdotal evidence at Biola and survey data demonstrate that Gen Z required increased support and intervention when they reached college campuses in the mid 2010’s. The American College Health Association has surveyed hundreds of thousands of Gen Z college students over the past seven years and found as far back as 2016 that 87.1 percent of the 27,787 undergraduate respondents to their Fall 2016 survey said they felt “overwhelmed by all they had to do'' …

Town Of Lancaster, New Hampshire Year Ending December 31, 2023., Lancaster Town Representatives

Lancaster, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

Educators’ Beliefs About Using Academic Acceleration With Gifted Math Students And Others: Barriers And Opportunities, Jason Gorgia

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study examined the perceptions of educators (i.e., math teachers, administrators, and others) for insight into the absence of acceleration as a common pedagogical strategy in mathematics, despite longstanding research supporting the practice for students gifted in math and the interest frequently articulated by policymakers and educators in boosting American K-12 students’ math achievement. Educators from 48 states responded to scale-based and open-ended questions about math acceleration through an online survey where 713 of 818 respondents were teachers, balanced almost evenly among elementary, middle, and high schools, and among urban, suburban, and rural settings. The responses of teachers and non-teaching …

An Examination Of The Strategies And Limitations For Engaging Parents In Urban Music Programs, Cory Spencer Robinson

Graduate Research Showcase

Urban music educators face unique challenges not encountered by their suburban and rural counterparts. A challenge that many urban music educators face is that of consistent and meaningful parent engagement. Urban music educators face issues engaging parents such as a lack of communication, cultural barriers and a lack of action that is ultimately out of the educator’s control. This can lead to low retention of students in the urban music program, difficulties managing negative student behavior, and overall poor program outcomes. Some possible solutions that may assist the urban music educator in engaging parents are engaging the community of the …

Annual Report Of The Town Of Atkinson, New Hampshire, For The Year 2023., Atkinson Town Representatives

Atkinson, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

Annual Report For The Year 2023., Mountain Lakes District Of Haverhill Representatives

Mountain Lakes District of Haverhill, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a district in the state of New Hampshire.

Embracing Negative Thinking, Jill Surber

Celebrating Writers and Writing in our Communities

No abstract provided.

Fostering Civility And Constructive Debate In A Polarized Society: How Leadership Educators Can Leverage Diverse Perspectives, Donnette Noble, Jesse James New Ii

Leadership Faculty Publications

Purpose – This paper highlights an assignment in a combination upper-division undergraduate and graduate civic leadership class at a Midwestern state comprehensive university. The three-part assignment challenges students’ critical thinking skills and research capabilities while simultaneously necessitating the exploration of contrasting viewpoints on contentious issues. Design/methodology/approach – Intentionally exposing students to diverse perspectives in a controlled environment. Findings – We posit that the severity and frequency of these issues can be mitigated through focused efforts. Originality/value – Students are better prepared to engage in civil debate on controversial topics, which continuously divide our communities, after completing a class using this …

Assessing The Relationship Between Contralateral Limb Synergy And Rock Climbing Efficiency, Jeromy Miramontes

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Rock climbing is a total body sport testing the mental and physical capabilities of athletes. Efficiency of movement can improve the ability of climbers to perform at a higher capacity and reduce the risk of injury. Data on the relationship between the continuous relative phase (CRP) of contralateral joint rotations and time to completion of a bouldering move are ways to assess rock climbing. This study aimed to assess this relationship, as well as the geometric entropy (GE) of the center of mass displacement when completing the bouldering move, and the metabolic efficiency over 4 min of bouldering. The study …

Factors That Influence Small Mammal Long Bone Morphology: An Analysis Of The Femora, Tibiae, And Humeri Of The Eastern Gray Squirrel (Sciurus Carolinensis), Tyler Everette Blake

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The goal of this study is to examine the effect of urbanization and latitude on bone morphology, specifically limb length and bone density among gray squirrels endemic to the eastern United States. This study’s hypotheses are as follows: gray squirrels occupying lower latitudes will have larger body sizes and longer limbs relative to body size than those at higher latitudes following Bergmann’s and Allen’s rules. Further, squirrels in urban habitats will have greater bone density than those in rural habitats. Results show moderate correlation between body mass and respective proxies and latitude following Bergmann’s rule. Weak correlations were found between …

The Comparison Of Different Wetland Fish Assemblages Over Time, Robert Edward Adelstein

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Wetlands provide essential ecosystem services. Historically, we have drained and filled 73% of wetlands for agricultural use throughout the United States from the 1780s to the 1980s (Dahl, 1990). A nationwide focus on restoring wetlands has since occurred. Literature on restored/mitigated wetlands is rife with examples that do and do not support the same ecosystem services as natural wetlands (Langston, 1997; Meil, 2014). Restoration of wetlands occurred at the Green Bottom Wildlife Management Area (GBWMA) over several decades. Various sections of the wetland were classified by age, water depth, and vegetation. One hypothesis was that differences in fish assemblage would …

Annual Report For The Town Of Bridgewater, New Hampshire For The Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2023., Bridgewater Town Representatives

Bridgewater, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

Assessing The Impact Of Human Resource Management (Hrm) Practices On Organizational Commitment: An Examination Of The Role Of Temporal Focus, Monty Clint Taylor

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

This study explores how organizational commitment is associated with employee satisfaction regarding the human resource management (HRM) practices of training/development and compensation. Drawing on Affective Events Theory (AET), this research also examines the role of past temporal focus as a moderating variable of the proposed relationships. During times of historically low unemployment rates below 4% in the United States (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024), organizations face major challenges in hiring and retaining employees to fill existing job vacancies (Conklin, 2022). Overall organizational stability (i.e., productivity and financial capabilities) is maintained when skilled employees are successfully recruited and trained as …

The Benefits Of Trauma Informed Teaching Strategies And Interventions For Students, Ryan J. Abrahamson

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Over the years, schools have faced an uphill battle when discussing trauma in students. As the research continues to improve and the more it is studied, more schools are able to talk about it and learn about it. This can become a big weight on the shoulders of the teachers because students do spend the majority of their day at school during the school year. Not only are the general education students experiencing trauma but also students with disabilities are also experiencing it.. This can lead to a higher risk for the students with disabilities to experience mental health issues …

Effects Of Non-Educational Technology On Adolescents' Well-Being And School Performance, Daniel J. Moe

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Non-educational technology is sweeping across the globe. Modern society has welcomed technologies like social media and video games with open arms, although there is a small group of people who are highly against any use of electronic technology. What would be the best outcome for humanity? To rely on our modern devices or to keep the technology at bay? Research has shown support for both arguments. There are legitimate reasons why humans should interact with technology like improvement of brain functioning and heightened decision making (Reynaldo et al., 2021). However, an excessive amount of time on digital technology can cause …

Children’S Access To Free Play In Nature In Relation To Mental Health And Overall Well-Being, Paige Olivia Wildenauer

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Children of the current generation are spending less time outdoors than ever before. Facing issues like excessive screen time, safety concerns, overscheduling, poor urban planning and inaccessible parks, children today are losing their ability and desire to play - a fundamental part to human development. Compared to children of past generations, they are less resilient, less imaginative, and more prone to serious mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, behavioral and attention disorders. This thesis analyzes current literature on the topic of children’s mental health and time spent outdoors. Children that participate in outdoor play have a more positive affect …

Annual Town Reports For Danville, New Hampshire For The Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2023., Danville Town Representatives

Danville, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

State Of New Hampshire Annual Report Of Coos County For The Year Ending December 31, 2023., Coos County Representatives

Coos County, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

Annual Reports Of The Select Board, Departments, And Committees For The Town Of Webster, Together With The Reports Of The Pillsbury Lake Water District, Vital Statistics, Etc., For The Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2023., Webster Town Representatives

Webster, NH Annual Reports

This is an annual report containing vital statistics for a town/city in the state of New Hampshire.

An Exploration Of Teacher Perception And Practices Of Using Assessment Data To Improve Achievement Of Equity Student Groups, Laurie Mazelin

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

While utilizing assessment data has been a pervasive practice in educational reform for decades, and teachers are expected to use assessment data to improve instruction, little is known about how the practice of requiring teachers to review test data affects their perception of effectiveness in addressing the learning gaps of student groups. This qualitative phenomenological research study used open-ended, semi-structured interviews to help better understand how the expectations of teachers analyzing and integrating assessment data translates into teacher instructional practice and self-efficacy. This study aimed to explore the shared experience of teachers required to participate in collaborative planning centered on …

Death Notification For The Law Enforcement Chaplain; Considering Models That Emphasize The Ministry Of Presence, Steven W. Brooks

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Against a backdrop of protocols developed in the medical community for delivering bad news (news of a distressing nature) to patients and survivors (e.g., friends and family of a patient or victim), a straightforward procedure is described for law enforcement chaplains who must deliver death notifications to civilians. A description of and appreciation for the ministry of presence is explored. Specifically, the ministry of presence, modeled after Jesus’ example in the Incarnation and His development of disciples, is described as the cornerstone of chaplaincy.

Metaphysical Foundationalist Versus Existentialist Ontologies: Applications For Research On Psychological Energy, Michael Da, Glenn Hartelius

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

Theories of psychological energy have a rich history going back to the beginning of the field of psychology, employing concepts such as "libido," "psychic energy," "orgone energy," "bioenergetics," "psycho-energetics," "life energy," "organizing field," and "living-matrix." There has been a recent effort to find neural correlates with these concepts, but these data may not capture the fullness of the phenomenon. Because psychological energy is an elusive concept with many interpretations, research into this phenomenon faces the most basic questions regarding where and how to start. To address these questions, this paper explores several theories of ontology that could apply to psychological …