Digital Commons Network^™

Graduate Students’ Perspectives On Universal Design For Learning (Udl) 3.0 Guidelines: A Q-Methodology Study, Taylor C. Rodriguez

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore graduate students’ perspectives of Q-methodology to understand their insights on the newly updated Universal Design for Learning (UDL) 3.0 guidelines and how they feel these guidelines support their academic journey. A Q-sort instrument consisting of 36 statements aligned with UDL 3.0 principles was administered to graduate students at the master’s and doctoral levels. Thirty-two participants completed the Q-sort activity, and factor analysis revealed four distinct viewpoints reflecting varied perceptions of UDL’s relevance and impact within graduate education.

Findings indicate areas of consensus among students, particularly regarding the importance of developing student autonomy …

Learning Regulatory Dna-Sequence Code Of Epigenetic Events Using Deep Neural Networks, Sanjeeva Reddy Dodlapati

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

Epigenetic events, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, arise from a complex interplay among genomic sequence, chromatin-remodeling factors, and environmental cues. These regulatory mechanisms can induce changes in gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence, playing critical roles in development, disease, and cellular differentiation. Among these events, DNA methylation is frequently profiled using bisulfite sequencing (e.g., whole-genome bisulfite sequencing [WGBS], reduced representation bisulfite sequencing [RRBS]). However, predictive modeling of epigenetic states—including methylation patterns and regulatory variant effects—remains challenging due to data sparsity, label noise, and limited uncertainty estimation in current deep learning approaches. This dissertation addresses these issues …

Examining Access, Outcomes, And The Experiences Of Black Women: Improving Racial Equity In Adult Drug Treatment Court, Laquana N. Askew

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

Black women face compounded systemic barriers in the criminal legal system because of oppression and erasure of their racial and gendered identities. Although Adult Drug Treatment Courts (DTCs) are designed to divert individuals with substance use disorders from incarceration with the alternative of therapeutic intervention, Black women, compared to their Black male and White female counterparts, remain underrepresented and experience less favorable outcomes despite their increased presence in the criminal legal system due to drug related offenses. Using an intersectional Black Feminist framework, the current study critically examines the processes and structural barriers that contribute to Black women’s limited access …

Multimedia Forensics: Identification And Verification Of Source Camera, Vehicle Speed Estimation, And Deepfakes Detection, Jiajun Jiang

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation advances multimedia forensics by addressing three critical research areas that enhance the authenticity verification and analysis of digital media. Multimedia forensics, which encompasses techniques for examining images, videos, audio, and text, faces increasing challenges due to sophisticated editing tools and massive data volumes. In the first study, a fast source camera identification and verification method based on PRNU analysis is proposed for video forensic investigations. By integrating camera rolling and I-frame analysis, this approach achieves a processing speed improvement of at least 15 times over conventional frame-by-frame methods while reducing false positives. The second study focuses on vehicular …

Two Analytic Issues Arising From Models In Probability And Materials Science, Giang Vu Thanh Nguyen

Mathematics & Statistics Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation explores two distinct topics centered on mathematical models in probability theory and materials science. The first part investigates a series of functions derived from an adaptive algorithm designed to address the score-based secretary problem, a classic challenge in probability theory. This problem involves making immediate decisions to select the best candidate from a sequence of interviews. The algorithm aims to maximize the probability of selecting the optimal candidate based on observed scores. We prove two fundamental analytic properties of this sequence of functions as a theoretic support of the algorithm: first, the functions in the sequence each possess …

Computational Modeling For Automatic Superconducting Cavity Fault Prediction And Classification Using Time Series Signals, Md Monibor Rahman

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Processing multivariate time series signals collected from sensor networks is challenging because of complex temporal dependencies and non-stationarity. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) like machine learning and deep learning, it has become possible to process sensor-driven time series data more effectively than traditional statistical methods.

This dissertation aims to develop machine learning and deep learning models to address machine fault diagnosis using multivariate time series signals collected from the Continuous Electron Beam Accelerator Facility (CEBAF) at Jefferson Lab. The first goal of the proposed work is to develop deep learning–based classification models and an unsupervised fault clustering approach …

Towards Improving Computational Modeling Of The Lumbar Spine - Impact Of Material Properties And Laminotomy On Spinal Biomechanics, Isaac K. Kumi

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Spinal ligaments play a crucial role in maintaining the mechanical stability of the lumbar spine. These dense, collagenous tissues not only resist excessive motion but also distribute loads between spinal components to protect neural structures. Traditionally, the mechanical response of ligaments has been modeled using linear elastic assumptions, which treat the tissue as having a constant stiffness regardless of loading history. While this simplifies analysis, it fails to capture the time-dependent behaviors, such as creep, stress relaxation, and hysteresis, that are characteristic of biological tissues.

Viscoelastic modeling may provide a more physiologically accurate representation by incorporating both elastic and viscous …

Toward More Challenge-Engaging Stem Students: A Narrative Inquiry Into Student Persistence In The Face Of Failure, Stephanie R. Fahey

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) postsecondary graduates greatly contribute to advances in technology and research, and STEM fields promise graduates careers with positive long-term outcomes. Many postsecondary students initially choose STEM majors; however, less than half of those students graduate with a STEM degree. High STEM attrition is a problem that continues to vex educators and researchers. One attributable factor to high STEM attrition is students adversely reacting to initial academic failure in challenging STEM educational contexts. However, there are a lack of studies that investigate the individual experiences of students who persist despite academic failure to better understand …

Systems Statistical Engineering – Hierarchical Fuzzy Constraint Propagation, Hengameh Fakhravar

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Driven by the growing need in the 21st century for integrating rigorous statistical analysis into engineering research, there is a movement to develop an integrated statistical engineering science within statistics and quality communities (Hoerl & Snee, 2010; Anderson-Cook et al., 2012). Systems Statistical Engineering research seeks to integrate the Causal Bayesian hierarchical modeling (Pearl, 2009) and cybernetic control theory within Beer’s Viable System Model (1972, 1979, 1985) and the Complex Systems Governance framework (Keating, 2014; Keating & Katina, 2015, 2016) to produce multivariate systemic models for robust dynamic systems mission performance. Cotter & Quigley (2018) set forth the Bayesian systemic …

Complex System Governance And Cyber Operations, Willie Gernard Mccallister

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation examines the potential integration of Complex System Governance (CSG) within cybersecurity, emphasizing the development of a reference model for Cybersecurity Infrastructures. Traditional strategies for securing digital environments have struggled to address the intricate and dynamic layers inherent in modern cybersecurity systems. The purpose of this research is to explore the applicability of CSG as a framework to assess cybersecurity infrastructure using a case study research design. The research addresses two key questions: (1) How can the CSG reference model be adapted to explore cybersecurity infrastructure? (2) What results from CSG based exploration of cybersecurity infrastructure through a case …

Effects Of Sediment Composition On Spartina Alterniflora And Juncus Roemerianus Productivity In Coastal Virginia: A Thin-Layer Sediment Placement Experiment, Caitlin Hemphill

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Climate change poses a major threat to the health of estuaries and their coastal wetland systems. The Chesapeake Bay’s coastal salt marshes are at high risk of inundation due to sea-level rise and land subsidence. Restoration techniques for maintaining coastal marsh resistance to sea-level rise are being developed and refined, with thin layer placement (TLP) emerging as a feasible solution in many areas of the United States. Despite TLPs use across the country, additional research is needed on species-specific responses, sediment types, and geographically focused studies in the lower Chesapeake Bay. My research addresses these gaps by combining both greenhouse …

Analysis On Plasma Propulsion Thruster Material Reconfiguration For Thrust Stabilization, Chinedumu Chidiebere Okafo

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Rocket propulsion has been a primary focus for scientific and technical advancement supporting space exploration. For long-duration, low-thrust space missions, propulsion systems designed with plasma energy as the primary source for generating thrust are of high interest. Plasma energy, like electric propulsion, involves the excited state of ionized atoms, where the ionized particles are separated and then act as a propellant to push a spacecraft in the intended direction for flight. Although more energy efficient compared to traditional rocket systems, plasma propulsion has the deficiency of consistent erosion of the metallic containment substrate, as plasma is being generated and released …

Good And Safe: Exploring The Impact Of Mindfulness And Primal World Beliefs On Psychological Well-Being, Katelyn J. Haschke

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Dispositional mindfulness refers to the ability to intentionally focus on the present moment, which positively affects psychological well-being (PWB). Mindfulness can be practiced through formal interventions—such as meditation or body scan, where individuals engage in structured activities to cultivate awareness—or informal practices, such as focusing on one task at a time where mindfulness is integrated into routine activities. A person’s phenomenological perspective, shaped by their core beliefs about the world (primals), also influences PWB. For instance, those who view the world as mostly safe or good may be more likely to form close relationships and engage more deeply with their …

A Strict Physicality-Preserving Scheme For A 2d Q-Tensor Flow With A Singular Potential, Md Mashud Parvez

Mathematics & Statistics Theses & Dissertations

Nematic liquid crystals are a state of matter that exhibit properties between those of conventional liquids and solid crystals. Their unique ability to align molecules in specific directions makes them essential in various applications, including display technologies and advanced materials. To model their complex behavior, mathematical frameworks such as the Q-tensor model are used to describe the orientation and degree of molecular order. In this work, we introduce a numerical scheme for a two-dimensional (2D) dynamic Q-tensor model, which is formulated as an L²-gradient flow driven by the liquid crystal free energy and incorporates a singular potential to …

Analysis Of Multi Grade Deep Learning, Ronglong Fang

Mathematics & Statistics Theses & Dissertations

Multi-Grade Deep Learning (MGDL) is a training framework that incrementally builds deep neural networks. It does this by dividing the training process into multiple “grades,” where each grade sequentially trains a shallow neural network to learn the residue from the previous one, using the outputs of prior grades as input. This approach progresses from shallow to deep architectures. This dissertation offers a comprehensive theoretical and numerical analysis of the MGDL methodology.

We first demonstrate that MGDL can effectively learn target functions within the sum-composition learning format. In this context, MGDL approximates high-frequency components by composing multiple low-frequency functions. This unique …

Enhancing Non-Visual Interaction With Online User-Generated Content, Mohan Krishna Sunkara

Computer Science Theses & Dissertations

The Web has become the dominant medium for our everyday activities, including communication, business, e-commerce, news, and entertainment. Consequently, the online world is experiencing an explosion of User-Generated Content (UGC), particularly on social media platforms and online review systems. To facilitate convenient interaction with UGC, web platforms have adopted various presentation strategies that enable users to efficiently browse and contribute to the UGC. However, these user interfaces are primarily designed for sighted individuals, so they do little to assist blind users who rely predominantly on audio-based screen reader assistive technology. The extant efforts to improve web interaction for blind users …

From First-Generation To Flourishing: Exploring The Influence Of Academic, Social, And Deeper Life Interactions In Higher Education, Melissa Jean Overton

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

Despite comprising half of all undergraduate students (RTI International, 2024) and being widely studied in higher education literature, first-generation students experience many barriers to success and are less likely to graduate than continuing-generation students (Engle & Tinto, 2008; Fry, 2021; Kezar et al., 2023). Social science and higher education scholars have identified flourishing, the presence of complete mental health and holistic well-being (Keyes & Haidt, 2003), as an important outcome of higher education beyond more traditional success metrics, with the thought that flourishing promotes success in other areas.

This study explored how first-generation students’ academic, social, and deeper life interactions …

Testing An Ironic Process Model Of Emotion Expression In Daily Life, Laura B. Kenneally

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Expressive suppression, or suppressing the expression of an emotion, is a common emotion regulation approach that has been found to have substantial negative implications for one’s mental health, physical health, and relationship functioning. However, expression of emotion, and of negative emotion in particular, has not consistently been found to be beneficial for mood or relationships. Moreover, the social expression of emotion that is culturally valued among Black-identifying Americans is different in White-identifying Americans, particularly in regard to expression of negative affect. However, it is unknown whether this cultural context mitigates the potential consequences of expressive suppression and emotion expression.

Expressive …

School Counselor Burnout And Self-Efficacy And Their Impact On The Degree Of Implementation Of A Comprehensive School Counseling Program, Rebecca Pierre-Louis

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

School Counselors are educators who are vital in supporting students’ educational development. School Counselors do this by delivering a comprehensive, developmentally appropriate, and prevention-oriented school counseling programs that provide direct, indirect, and responsive services to support students’ career, academic, and social/emotional development. School Counselors do this while often experiencing an expanded definition of their role within a school building. While research supports the benefits of comprehensive school counseling programs to schools and students, school counselors often face large student caseloads. As well, they are tasked with many non-school counseling duties, which hampers the delivery of a comprehensive school counseling program. …

Inter-Cellular Forces Modulate Cell-Ecm Traction Forces, Zaria Booth

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Epithelial cells are among the most abundant cell types in the human body, making up sheets of epithelial tissues that cover the linings of organs and body cavities. Cellular adhesion and force transmission across epithelial tissues are crucial in maintaining tissue integrity and ensuring proper tissue regeneration. Defects in cellular force transmission have been found in various diseases, including cancer. Force transmission at cell-cell and cell-ECM junctions drive cell survival and development. It has been previously shown that changes in cell-ECM traction directly modulates forces at cell-cell contacts. In this study, we aim to determine the effects of perturbations in …

Reproductive Redlining: Unraveling Historical Disparities And Facility Placement In Distance To Licensed Childcare Facilities, Reproductive Health Clinics, & Crisis Pregnancy Centers For Women In The Southern Region Of The United States, Mackenzie A. Kibler

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation investigates how historical and structural inequalities shape contemporary access to reproductive health services, licensed childcare facilities, and crisis pregnancy centers across Mississippi, Virginia, and Maryland. Using feminist geography, reproductive justice theory, and historical trauma theory, this research develops the concept of reproductive redlining to explore how race, policy, and space intersect to produce health disparities. By combining GIS mapping with multivariate statistical analysis and redlining data from the Home Owners’ Loan Corporation (HOLC), the study evaluates spatial distributions and demographic correlates of facility access before and after the Dobbs decision. Findings reveal enduring spatial inequities that disproportionately impact …

'Managed Hearts’ In Helper-Education: Gender Non-Binary Helper-Educators’ Experiences Of Emotional Labor, Jordan Pearce

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

The unique experiences of people who identify with a gender beyond the binary paradigm dominant in the Global West are not well understood. The literature provides little insight into the experiences and perspectives of these individuals in a variety of contexts, including in their workplaces. As various social movements collide, they bring amplified attention to the mental health of marginalized communities and to workers, as well as the dynamics of modern work environments, and the specific needs of certain individuals doing certain types of work. The current study explored the experiences of gender non-binary individuals (GNI) working as helper-educators engaged …

Drivers And Consequences Of Changes In Nectar Microbiome Composition Across Spatial And Biological Scales, Daniel A. Barker

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Microbial communities inhabiting floral nectar, known as the nectar microbiome, are important mediators of plant-pollinator interactions. However, the ecological and environmental factors that shape the composition of these microbial communities remain poorly understood. While previous studies have examined the effects of a few microbial groups, typically independent of one another, on one plant or pollinator species, this dissertation takes a wide-scale approach to explore how abiotic conditions and biotic interaction’s structure microbial communities within floral nectar. Furthermore, I also quantify how variation in microbial richness and identity influences pollinator behavior and plant reproductive success.

This dissertation shows that microbial abundance …

Raptors As Secondary Dispersers Of Mycorrhizal Fungal Spores, Joseph Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Animals aid fungal dispersal by consuming fruiting bodies (e.g., truffles) and depositing spores elsewhere. Predators can act as secondary dispersers by preying on small mammals that eat truffles, although it is unclear how this dispersal may vary among species of raptors (hawks and owls) and fungal taxa. We experimentally fed four truffle taxa (with spores varying in size and wall thickness) to six raptor species (with differing gut morphology and acidity) to assess how spore viability and retention time may change between raptor casts and feces. Viability in smaller spores was more negatively affected by acidity compared to larger spores …

Hierarchy In Sensation: Exploring The 40 Hz Auditory Steady State Synchrony In The Primary Auditory And Prefrontal Association Cortices, Deepshila Gautam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Auditory processing begins in the cochlea and ascends through brainstem relays to the cortex, where sound features with increasing complexity are encoded. The 40 Hz auditory steady-state response (ASSR) reflects induced gamma synchrony shaped by local cortical circuit dynamics. Disrupted 40 Hz ASSR is a consistent finding in schizophrenia, linked to N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction in inhibitory interneurons, making it a promising translational biomarker. While multiple ASSR generators have been identified, it is not known if these are redundant or represent unique activity. This dissertation investigates regional differences in 40 Hz ASSR across two principal generators: the primary auditory cortex …

Exploring Factors Influencing Care And Outcome Among Stroke Patients In Tennessee, Omodele Agbejimi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in Tennessee. Socioeconomic variables influence the delivery of stroke treatment and its outcomes. Despite advances in acute stroke care, the burden of stroke keeps increasing. This study aimed to explore literature on factors contributing to stroke care and outcomes in the U.S., assess the determinants of stroke patients’ outcomes, and examine the geographical disparities in stroke hospitalization and stroke death rate and their association with stroke care accessibility in Tennessee.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted using socio-ecological models to explore literature on factors contributing to stroke care and outcomes. A …

In A Safe-Space Of Her Own: Alice's Journey Through A Traumatized Wonderland To Find Attunement And Recovery, Cheston A. Axton

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Throughout Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland/Through the Looking-Glass’s 160-year existence, Lewis Carroll’s seven-year-old protagonist has experienced many changes and alterations. With an ever-growing pop culture interest, Alice’s original narrative has undergone numerous adaptations, with each new variation diving deeper into the impact of trauma on Wonderland.

This thesis continues this existing discourse by examining Wonderland’s capacity to facilitate recovery in the aftermath of severe trauma. Through this research, the traumatic experiences of Alice, from Christina Henry’s The Chronicles of Alice: Alice and American McGee’s Alice: Madness Returns, are examined concerning their effect(s) on her construction of Wonderland, as …

The Diversity Of Our Weightlifting Uniforms: A Qualitative Analysis Of The Experiences Of Gender And Sexual Minorities In Gyms, Rachel M. Schott

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Gender and sexual minority (GSM) populations experience significant mental and physical health disparities compared to their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts. A particularly understudied modality that may contribute to these disproportionate health outcomes is decreased engagement in physical activity (PA). Gyms are a primary source for PA, yet understanding GSM experiences in these spaces is relatively understudied. The purpose of the present study is to better understand the experiences of GSMs in gym spaces with an emphasis on barriers and facilitators to their engagement. We conducted semi-structured phone interviews among self-identified gender and sexual minorities across the U.S. Thematic analysis was used …

Examining The Lived Experiences Of International Students At East Tennessee State University, John The Baptist Anodjo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research investigates the lived experiences of international students at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), specifically examining how they navigate social, academic, and structural challenges. Through in-depth interviews with 20 international students from a variety of nationalities, I analyzed issues related to legal status, housing, food insecurity, healthcare, and social integration. I found that students encounter barriers due to immigration policies, financial constraints, and limited access to essential resources. Additionally, international students benefit significantly from support provided by campus services, community organizations, and their social networks, which play a vital role in their adjustment process. While institutional resources are beneficial …

The Intersection Of Appalachian Identity And Gambling Behavior, Noah S. Anderson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the relation between Appalachian identity and gambling behavior among students in central Appalachia (n = 395). One-way ANOVAs revealed no significant differences in engagement, F(2, 392) = 0.65, p = .523, or severity, F(2, 392) = 0.33, p = .718, across identification groups. Moderated regression showed that identity did not significantly moderate the engagement–severity relation (B = 0.073, p = .099), though engagement itself was a strong predictor of harm (B = 0.696, p < .001, R² = .521). Negative affect predicted both engagement (B = 0.074, p = .001) and severity (B = 0.069, p = .001), while identity remained non-significant. Logistic regression found that identity predicted gambling engagement (Exp(B) = 1.18, p = .034) only when controlling for severity. These findings relay the importance of empirical efforts in Appalachia and suggest that Appalachian identity may not be an independent risk factor in gambling behavior.