Digital Commons Network^™

Influence Of Physical Properties Of Fat On Product Quality, Shelf-Life And Consumer Acceptance Of Chocolate-Coated Products, Audrey Lidgard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In chocolate-coated products, oil migration in fats can lead to chocolate softening, filling hardening, discoloration, and lower consumer acceptance. This study examined three different fats (soy- palm-, and palm-kernel (PK) based), crystallized under different conditions (cooling rate and use of high intensity ultrasound (HIU)) to examine how the crystallization conditions impact the physical properties of confectionery products. These conditions produced fats with high and low oil binding capacities (OBCs); the ability of crystal networks to entrap liquid oil. Model systems were created to examine measurable quality degradation and consumer acceptance of chocolates placed in contact with the fats; one with …

A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Self-Help Acceptance And Commitment Therapy And Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Perfectionism, Emily M. Bowers

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Many college students are struggling with perfectionism, a tendency to set extremely high standards for themselves, which can lead to stress and dissatisfaction. We looked at whether self-help books based on two different types of therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can help reduce unhelpful perfectionism. We looked at how well ACT and CBT self-help books worked for reducing perfectionism, compared to students who did not receive either book. College students in the study completed surveys at the beginning, halfway through, after finishing the book, and again one month later. We found that students who …

Potamogeton Crispus Invasion: Impacts On Native Aquatic Plants And Associated Faunal Habitat, Meghan-Grace Slocombe

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Aquatic invasive plants are non-native plants that invade a water body and displace native aquatic plants. Invasion depletes the native plant community's ability to provide ecosystem services, including improved water quality, decreased problematic algae, and increased animal habitat. The loss of these ecosystem services reduces the value of fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities in aquatic ecosystems. The potential changes in plant communities and services are particularly important at sites targeted for restoration because project goals typically include increasing ecosystem services, including wildlife habitat. Curly-leaf pondweed (Potamogeton crispus L.) is a problematic invasive species in North America. To better manage …

Identifying And Addressing Current Gaps In Knowledge And Treatment Dissemination For Individuals With Trichotillomania, Leila K. Capel

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Trichotillomania is an impairing and debilitating mental health condition, and while the research in this area is growing, this population is underserved. The aim of this project was to identify gaps in the research that may be contributing to lack of treatment access and begin filling those gaps. The first gap is knowledge of how treatments work and for whom they work best. While there are a variety of treatment options and ways of delivering treatment, individual factors that predict who will benefit most are not well investigated. We explored the individual factors, and aspects of treatment that we believe …

Analyzing Sedentism In The Built Environment: A Case Study In Archaeological Geophysics At Boundary Village, Uintah County, Utah, Alix Sofie Piven

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This thesis presents a case study that evaluates the ability of near-surface remote sensing to generate archaeological data suitable to answer questions about human behavior. Specifically, this project assesses the ability of two remote sensing methods, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetic gradiometry to resolve subsurface archaeological features that are markers of sedentism. In this study, the markers of sedentism are features of village sites where their variability is linked to the anticipated and actual length of time spent occupying a domestic site. A comparative dataset was generated to assess how specific subsurface archaeological features would look in GPR and magnetic …

Challenging Behavior In Inclusive Postsecondary Education Programs, Samantha J. Nercesian

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Inclusive postsecondary education programs – higher education programs that are specifically designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities – have grown exponentially in the last 10 years. With this growth has come the emergence of several barriers to inclusive postsecondary education admission and completion. Given the relatively short time inclusive postsecondary education programs have existed, only a small amount of research has looked into barriers that prevent graduation from inclusive postsecondary education programs. One barrier in particular has received little to no attention from researchers – challenging behavior. Challenging behavior is a construct that includes socially inappropriate behaviors, which may harm …

A Voice For Unity: The 1947 Freedom Train And Collective Memory Of The American Revolution, Joseph Lewis

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

One element of American Revolution memory is how united the colonists were during the Revolution. Many subsequent political groups, such as the American Heritage Foundation (AHF), utilized this idealistic collective memory to advocate for unity and legitimize their agendas. Through the 1947 Freedom Train, the AHF shaped and reinforced a unified, idealistic, national heritage to unite Americans against the perceived threats of communism, disloyalty, and disunity at home, partially by framing the American Revolution as a united endeavor. Some Utahns and Americans at large, while supporting the pro-capitalist message embedded in the train, applied its message to support the protection …

Second Nature: Nurturing Stewardship Through Ecological Presence, Tyler Hansen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Environmental education is essential for preparing students to address today’s ecological challenges. However, many educational approaches focus primarily on individual behavior (e.g., personally conserving water) rather than broader systemic solutions. This research highlights that gap through a review of environmental education and introduces a new framework for designing and evaluating environmental education. This framework aims to help students explore their relationship with the environment in locally relevant and place-based ways. By applying this framework in rural Hawaii, this study examines how students perceive their roles within ecological systems and compares different curricular approaches to see how students’ understanding evolves. This …

Managing For Disturbance: Trade-Offs Associated With Population Resilience And Ecosystem Size, Ellie Wallace

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Populations can recover from and withstand disturbance through characteristics such as reproduction and maintaining large abundances. While these traits are beneficial to native species conservation, they can simultaneously challenge effective invasive species management. Effective invasive species control requires sufficient efforts to overcome a population's ability to recover from disturbance, such as harvest. My dissertation aimed to address how the size of an invasive population and its ability to recover from disturbance impact a suite of invasive species control methods, including those that (1) target mainly larger and older individuals (i.e., mechanical removal), (2) target all sizes of individuals (i.e., targeted …

Critically Assessing Normative Methods And Their Limitations In Managing Crowding Within Parks And Protected Areas, Glendon R. Vansandt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Visitor experiences in parks and protected areas are shaped by a variety of environmental, managerial, and social factors. To ensure that visitors enjoy their time in these spaces, management agencies often adopt guidelines to establish acceptable levels for different aspects of these experiences. One of the most selected factors is perceived crowding, which reflects how crowded visitors feel in a given area. When perceived crowding exceeds desired levels, it can significantly diminish visitor satisfaction.

This thesis presents two studies aimed at identifying the shortcomings of the management of perceived crowding. The first study conducts a comprehensive literature review that identifies …

"Once Our Land Is Gone, It's Gone": Farmer Perspectives On Growth, Embeddedness, And The Future Of Food In The Great Salt Lake Basin, Bryn Noelle Watkins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The Great Salt Lake Basin hosts a knot of intensifying pressures on agriculturalists—including economic constraints, as even arable land is increasingly valuable for development, and ecological constraints, as aridification and climate change affect the conditions in which food can grow. Given the unique relationship farmers have with the land as its modern-day stewards, their perspectives on the nature and consequences of these pressures offer profound insights into how the region might responsibly navigate its resource management and food systems moving through the future. In the first paper, I draw upon 15 interviews with commodity farmers to understand their experiences with …

Development Of The Sexual Mindfulness Measure For Abstinent Persons, Kaitlyn Zito

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Sexual wellbeing plays a crucial role in overall health, influencing physical, emotional, social, and even spiritual aspects of life. One key factor in sexual wellbeing is sexual mindfulness, or the ability to be aware and accepting of one's sexual thoughts, feelings, and sensations. While previous research has focused on sexual mindfulness in romantic relationships, little is known about how it applies to abstinent individuals. To address this gap, I developed a 16-item validated measure of sexual mindfulness specifically for abstinent individuals: the Sexual Mindfulness Measure for Abstinent Persons (SMM-AP). This tool adapts key elements from the Five Facets of Mindfulness …

A Survey Of Master's Qualifying Exam Practices And Content In Real Analysis, Zachary M. Coverstone

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Graduate programs in mathematics are intended to develop experts in mathematics. As part of a graduate program, many students are expected to engage in a qualifying examination that can serve myriad purposes. This dissertation investigates real analysis qualifying examinations at the master's level through a nation-wide survey of institutions in the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU). This study reveals the practices in administration of real analysis qualifying exams, institutions reported offering traditional, pencil-and-paper exams and generally asked students to prepare individually using previously administered exams. The survey results show that approximately two in three APLU institutions offering master's …

Increasing The Spatial Resolution Of Snow Hydrology Data And Augmenting Existing Hydrology Monitoring Networks Using Low-Cost Snow Sensing Stations, Braedon Dority

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Snow is a crucial part of the water cycle, especially in mountainous regions where melting snow provides water for millions of people. However, accurately measuring how much water is stored in snow is challenging. Current monitoring networks, such as the snowpack telemetry (SNOTEL) network in the western United States, provide valuable data, but have gaps in coverage and are expensive to operate and expand. This research explores a more affordable way to improve snow measurements by designing and testing low-cost snow sensing stations. These stations use open-source datalogger and software technology along with research-grade sensors to measure important snow variables. …

Conservation Laws For Asymptotically Perfect Fluid Spacetimes, Lyle Arnett Jr.

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In physics, conservation laws, like those for energy or momentum, are powerful tools that help us understand how systems evolve and interact. In general relativity, where spacetime itself is curved by matter and energy, defining such conservation laws becomes especially subtle and complex. Traditional methods rely on idealized conditions like empty space or special symmetries, which limit their usefulness in more realistic, dynamic settings such as an expanding universe.

This dissertation explores a modern mathematical framework, developed by Iyer and Wald, that allows conservation laws to be derived directly from the equations governing spacetime. Using this approach, I examine not …

Toward Whole-Person Fit Assessment: Integrating Interests, Values, Skills, Knowledge, And Personality Using The Occupational Information Network (O*Net), Zihan Liu, Kevin A. Hoff, Chu Chu, Frederick L. Oswald, James Rounds

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Measuring person–occupation fit serves many important purposes, from helping young people explore majors and careers to helping jobseekers assess fit with available jobs. However, most existing fit measures are limited in that they focus on single individual difference domains without considering how fit may differ across multiple domains. For example, a jobseeker might be highly interested in a job, yet not possess the requisite skills or knowledge to perform the job well. The current research addresses this issue by evaluating an integrative set of person–occupation fit assessments that measure 88 fit dimensions across five domains: vocational interests, work values, knowledge, …

The Ties That Bind: Co-Twin Influences On Psychopathology In A Sample Of Twins, Anjoli E. R. Cero

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research has begun to better describe twinship and twin identity development, the potential advantages and disadvantages of twinship, and factors related to twins’ shared psychological symptomatology. Research also supports the concept of emotional contagion, in which one person’s emotional state can be transmitted to another person. This phenomenon may be more common among twins due to factors such as closeness, dependence, and general similarity. The current study proposed a series of regression models to investigate how predictive pathways toward anxiety among a sample of twins could be impacted by the psychological traits and functioning of their co-twins. The current sample …

Health Impacts Of Remote Work On Women Aged 30-40: A Study Of Physical And Mental Well-Being, Dakota J. Miller

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to understand the effects of remote work on employees' physical, psychological, and social well-being. As remote work becomes more common, understanding its impact on health and productivity is essential. This study asks: How does remote work affect employees’ well-being across these dimensions?

Guided by the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model (Bakker & Demerouti, 2007), this study examines how remote work influences well-being through the balance of job demands (e.g., workload, isolation) and resources (e.g., autonomy, flexibility).

Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from 22 remote workers via surveys, semi-structured interviews, and observations. Survey …

Grading Of Discussion Boards In Asynchronous Higher Education Courses And Its Effect On Social Presence: A Causal-Comparative Study, Heather Ann Hanson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative, non-experimental study was to determine if the grading methods of discussion board assignments in asynchronous courses affect the students’ perceived social presence. Social presence is one of the three factors of the Community of Inquiry (COI) that play a role in supporting the learning experience. The target population was graduate students in asynchronous online education courses. A sample of 92 students were surveyed from five institutions using the Community of Inquiry (COI) survey. They were placed in three groups based on the grading methods of discussion board assignments. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) …

Culturally Responsive Trauma Informed Care: Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Black Young Adult Military Connected Dependents With The Military's Child And Adolescent Behavioral Health Service, Chenille Renee Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand the lived experiences of Black young adult military-connected dependents and their involvement with the military’s child and adolescent behavioral health service while growing up in the military. This study is steered by resiliency and understanding of culturally competent and trauma-informed care. In this study participants will be chosen by utilizing criterion sampling which will allow participants to be selected based on specified criteria of identifying as Black, growing up in the military lifestyle, having a parent in the military while they were under the age of 18, and having encounters …

Exploring The Impacts Of Moral Injury On Law Enforcement Officers In South Carolina, Laura M. Casares

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study is to understand the concept of moral injury among law enforcement professionals. The concept of moral injury was often associated with military members and healthcare workers. Recently, research pertaining to moral injury among law enforcement professionals has grown, as many law enforcement agencies are paramilitary organizations. These fields have similar characteristics, including stress, burn out, and vicarious trauma. As the term moral injury evolves, and the constant scrutinization of policing by communities and politicians continues, agencies should be able to respond effectively to officers suffering from moral injury. Immanuel Kant’s historical influence …

A Descriptive, Comparative Study Of Preexisting Leadership Qualities And Leadership Effectiveness Of Theologically Conservative United States Army Battalion-Level Chaplains, Aaron Jonathan Fabian

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This immediate demand for spiritual and professional leadership can be overwhelming for a new battalion-level chaplain (Blackaby 2001; Howell 2003). They perform or provide religious service for Soldiers who have volunteered to serve their country. By going through the same military training in conjunction with their religious education and experience, chaplains are able to integrate with Soldiers where traditional clergy cannot. There is additional pressure to perform because chaplains, as commissioned officers, are evaluated immediately through an annual Officer Evaluation Report (OER hereafter, DA Form 67-9). With no time to acquire new skills, battalion-level chaplains are forced to rely on …

The Impact Of Rural Recovery Residences On Individuals' Recovery, Brandon Robert Peter Mielke

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study examined the experiences of individuals currently residing in rural recovery residences, with particular attention paid to perceived helpful factors and challenges regarding living in the residence as well as comparing residents’ experiences to individuals’ experiences in urban recovery residences as delineated by previous studies, as there is little current research examining rural recovery residences. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 men who resided in rural recovery residences at the time of the study’s completion. Three research questions guided the interviews and the subsequent comparative analysis: How do individuals living in rural recovery residences describe their lived experiences …

The Role Of Spirituality In Resilience Among Male And Female Education Staff And Role Differences, Cindi R. Bowling

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Working in the field of education can be challenging, even more so seems the challenge following a worldwide pandemic. Resilience is needed in any career, but education is one in which it is needed on a continuous basis. Spirituality may increase resilience in life. The idea that Jesus died and rose from the grave for a fallen world and through the Holy Spirit there is power to overcome is one that can help people press through hard times in life. This correlational study examined the relationship between spirituality and resilience in educational staff post-pandemic. To do this, The Daily Spiritual …

A Weapon In One Hand And A Bible In The Other: Places Of Worship Are Under Attack, Edmond J. Bergeron

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative descriptive study aims to ascertain the degree of preparedness for reducing and preventing extreme violence and the countermeasures that are in place (or lack thereof) at houses of worship. All places of worship in this study are considered soft targets and not “holy ground” as traditionally referenced. The terms “places of worship” and “church” will be used interchangeably in this study. A place of refuge for both the physical and spiritual is now considered vulnerable as the congregants are focused on worship rather than protection from an attack. Violence against places of worship will be described at this …

A Message To A Wayward King: The Unified Reading Of Proverbs Chapters 30 And 31, Lucinda Shelton Lyons

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Although Proverbs 30 and 31 often bear the label of being appendices to the book of Proverbs, and at first glance, reveal very distinct genres, this study aims to demonstrate a purposeful editorial coherence uniting the two oracles, conveying a significant message to the king. That united message reveals itself through a personal confession, numerical sayings, intimate advice from a mother to her son, and through an acrostic of the Woman of Valor. The two prophetic messengers, Agur and the Queen Mother, two elite voices within the Jerusalem palace-temple complex, strongly support the king. However, they see him as a …

The Differences In Emotional Intelligence Within Schools That Have Adopted Glasser’S Choice Theory: A Causal-Comparative Analysis, Leaja Hartman Horne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative study was to determine if statistically significant differences exist in the emotional intelligence (EI) of students in classrooms that have adopted Glasser’s choice theory (CT) compared to schools that have not (NCT). CT, the guiding theory, defines social-emotional learning (SEL) practices and seeks to improve relationships, internal locus of control, and motivation while fostering an engaged learning environment. Research clarifies the need for social-emotional health to support academic achievement; however, the specifics of these relationships require further clarification. The participants were a convenience sample of 59 private and public elementary school students from North …

A Quantitative Study Teaching De-Escalation With Virtual Reality Simulation To Associate Nursing Students Measuring Effectiveness, Learning, And Confidence, Michele Rene Marbet

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Workplace violence against nurses is a critical global public health issue, as one in four nurses reportedly experience physical assault by patients. This quantitative quasi-experimental, pretest-posttest study aimed to assess the effectiveness of virtual reality simulation as a teaching strategy for de-escalation education in associate nursing students’ (N = 29) perception in learning and confidence. The study utilized the Simulation Effectiveness Tool-Modified (SET-M) instrument to measure outcomes guided by Kolb's experiential learning theory and the NLN Jeffries simulation theory. The learning variable demonstrated significant improvement as confirmed by paired t-test analysis (p < .01). For the effectiveness and confidence variables, which violated assumptions of normality, a comprehensive statistical approach was implemented. Analysis included parametric testing via paired t-tests, supplemented by nonparametric methods (Wilcoxon Signed-ranks test and Sign test) to ensure statistical rigor. The cumulative results across all three statistical tests consistently demonstrated significant improvements (p < .001). Effect size calculations revealed medium to large significance for all variables measured by Cohen’s d. The conclusive findings of this research included a rejection of all three null hypotheses, which suggests that virtual reality simulation is an effective teaching strategy for developing de-escalation skills, enhancing both learning and confidence among associate nursing students. Future studies are needed to further validate and expand upon the findings of the current research, potentially leading to more widespread adoption of virtual reality simulation in nursing education for teaching de-escalation.

Moral Injury And Spiritual Struggles Among Christian Adults With A History Of Substance Use And Perceived Problematic Behaviors: A Phenomenological Study, Diera Shaw-Mendez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of moral injury and spiritual struggles among Christian adults from the Philadelphia tri-state area with a history of substance use or perceived problematic behaviors. Moral injury (MI) is newly studied in civilian populations. In a review of 253 studies on moral injury and substance use, only two qualitative studies explored exposure to morally injurious events amid substance use rather than as a pathway to substance use. Due to the religious characteristics of the target sample, the grounding theory for this study is Fowler’s Stages of Faith Development, which …

Borderplex Business Barometer, Volume 9, Number 5, Thomas M. Fullerton Jr., Steven L. Fullerton, Alejandro Sandoval-Murillo

Border Region Modeling Project

No abstract provided.