Digital Commons Network^™

Imagining The Internal Reproductive Environment: Function And Evolution Of The Drosophila Melanogaster Female Reproductive Tract, Caitlin Elizabeth Mcdonough-Goldstein

Dissertations - ALL

Sexual reproduction involves complex coordination, and potentially competition, among the reproductive cells, fluids, and structures of all individuals involved. For internally fertilizing species, these interactions occur within the body of one sex, predominantly the female, or ovary-associated, reproductive tract. Thus, characterizing the dynamics of the female reproductive tract is critical to understanding the interactions that mediate reproductive success. Although there has been increasing movement toward revealing the active role of the female reproductive tract in shaping and influencing reproductive outcomes, our knowledge of this environment remains limited as a result of both historical biases and technical constraints. My dissertation advances …

Explicit Learning Of Auditory Categories In Preschoolers With And Without Developmental Language Disorder, Lauren Casey

University Honors Theses

This study a part of a broader study including Quam et al. (2020) and Yu (2020) with the aim of understanding how children with and without developmental language disorder learn language. With a better understanding of the underlying learning mechanisms affected in DLD, better interventions can be implemented. The current study investigates explicit language learning in preschoolers with and without developmental language disorder (DLD). This was done by observing sound discrimination and explicit sound-meaning mapping. One child with DLD and 29 children with typical language development (TLD) participated in this study. Inclusion in each group was determined by a hearing …

Students Under Stress (Why Are Cultural Differences Stressful?), Amir M. Maleki, Fariborz Rahimnia

Studia i Materiały Wydział Zarządzania Uniwersytet Warszawski

Although acculturative stress (AS) studies have been conducted for five decades, we still know little about it. Moreover, we do not have a specific framework for international student population. The purpose of this paper is to explore how to use theories and research methods in different contexts and develop a framework. We systematically review articles related to this field, particularly 92 studies published until 2020. There are common variables in AS, comprising social, cultural, psychological, communicative, and demographic factors which managers and decision makers should properly understand and administer in organizations. This article also confirms a link between AS and …

New Jersey Superintendents’ Perceptions Of The Psel Standards And Their Application To The Summative Evaluation Process Of School Principals, Kevin Hajduk

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

It is difficult to imagine a focus for research with greater social justification than research about successful educational leadership. Therefore, the purpose of this study is twofold. First, this study explores the “elements” of the Professional Standards of Educational Leaders (PSEL) from the perspective of New Jersey school superintendents to determine what they consider to be most important when formally evaluating New Jersey public school principals. Second, this study will also distinguish what are the essential, compared to important, leadership skills and responsibilities that a building principal must demonstrate as defined by the PSEL standards and determined by Chief School …

Data Science And Computing Intelligence: Concept, Paradigm, And Opportunities, Cheng Xueqi, Mei Hong, Zhao Wei, Wah Wan Sang B, Shen Huawei, Li Guojie

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

The development of data science is valuable to clarify the theoretical boundary of data science, and provides new possibilities and opportunities for the sustainable development of computing intelligence. Meanwhile, the development of computing intelligence and the emergence of new intelligence paradigms can offer new chance for applications of big data in various industries and fields. This paper discusses the connotation of data science, the development of computing intelligence, the new intelligence paradigm, and lists the key applications leading the development of data science and computing intelligence. Furthermore, based on the discussion during the 667th Xiangshan Science Conference, seven key problems …

Drawing Normal Curves: A Visual Analysis Of Feedback In Writing-To-Learn Assignments In An Introductory Statistics Course For Community College Students, Samantha Estrada Aguilera

The Qualitative Report

Writing-to-learn benefits students in polishing their communication skills and understanding of statistical concepts cultivating a deeper understanding of statistics. A series of writing-to-learn activities were given to introductory statistics students at a community college in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States. Historically, research on the teaching and learning of statistics has been performed on undergraduates while overlooking the experiences of community college students in learning statistics. A total of 79 students completed the feedback instrument over the course of three semesters (Summer 2017, Fall 2017, and Spring 2018). The feedback instrument included three Likert scale questions, two open-ended …

Using Drawings In Qualitative Interviews: An Introduction To The Practice, Alexios Brailas

The Qualitative Report

Drawings are employed by qualitative researchers in many creative ways, and in many different contexts, and a variety of different terms are used to describe similar techniques. I present here a concise description of two basic approaches to integrating participants’ produced drawings into verbal qualitative research interviews, along with characteristic cases of empirical research demonstrating how these approaches have been applied. I also provide a list of best practices and I discuss ethical issues. It is common for qualitative researchers to mix techniques in order to creatively address real-world research challenges. The proposed categorization, augmented by the list of best …

Perioperative Advanced Directives, Derek Washer

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Technology and surgical techniques continue to improve, resulting in more clients with advanced directives presenting to the operative suite for surgery or procedures requiring anesthesia. Anesthesia providers are in a critical position to discuss with the surgical patient or surrogate any alteration or reconsideration to their advanced directive. Unfortunately, patients and anesthesia provider discussions at a North Texas hospital were limited due to a knowledge deficit, an outdated hospital policy rescinding all directives perioperatively, and an inadequate consenting mechanism. The perioperative advanced directives project involved updating the hospital policy to current national guidelines and developing a “DNR Under Anesthesia” consenting …

Psychological Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv) And Child Adjustment In A Context Of Previous Physical Ipv, Tricia Gower

Psychology Theses and Dissertations

Physical and psychological IPV often co-occur, and are both potential risk factors for child adjustment problems; however, their joint relation with child adjustment problems is not well understood. The current study examined whether previous physical IPV augmented the relation between current psychological IPV and child threat appraisals and child internalizing symptoms. Participants were 506 children aged 7-10 (Mage = 8.49; 48% female) and their mothers (Mage = 36.32) recruited from the community. Children reported on IPV between mothers and mothers’ partners, child threat appraisals, and child internalizing symptoms. Mothers reported on child internalizing symptoms. Previous physical IPV, conceptualized based on …

Andragogy: A Theory In Practice In Higher Education, Abeni El-Amin Ph.D.

Management Faculty Publications

Adult learning principles develop through an analysis and synthesis of adult education, andragogy, teaching, and learning in higher education. This research investigates foundational assumptions relevant to the field of adult education with a focus on andragogy in higher education. Characteristics of adult learners and principles of adult learning in higher education bear focus through the lens of andragogy. As such, andragogy as the preferred learning style of adults, andragogy vs. pedagogy, and cognitive learning develop relational significance to adult learners in higher education. As a result, the implications of linking learning styles and reflections of andragogy as a learning style …

My Own Distinguished People: An Analysis Of Carpatho-Rusyn Autonomy Movements, Alexandra S. Benc

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

What factors must a stateless nation possess in order to gain political autonomy? This question is explored through the perspective of Carpatho-Rusyns, an East Slavic stateless nation with a largely unknown, yet rich and distinct, history and culture. Throughout modern history, the Rusyns have made three significant attempts to gain political autonomy and become a semi-independent entity. I argue that stateless nations that possess high levels of the elements of political opportunity structure, cultural maintenance, and economic functioning are more likely to succeed in their efforts to gain political autonomy than those stateless nations who do not. Each of these …

Examining The Association Between Trait Mindfulness And How Positively An Exercise Bout Is Remembered, Bree Geary

Psychology Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Remembered affect is associated with future exercise behavior. Research suggests that trait mindfulness is associated with better emotion regulation, more positive affective memory of negative stimuli, and less rumination. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relation between trait mindfulness and remembered affect of an exercise bout. Methods: Undergraduate students from Southern Methodist University (N=94) completed baseline measures of trait mindfulness and physical activity, a 15-minute vigorous-intensity exercise bout, and post-exercise measure (remembered affect at 15 minutes post exercise session, 1-2 days post, and 1-week post). Multilevel modeling was used to test the association with remembered …

Emotion Transmission Among Parent-Child Dyads: A Multilevel Approach Using Daily Diary Data, Michael Ovalle

Psychology Theses and Dissertations

Research has shown that emotions can be contagious, especially within close relationships such as families. Studies have shown that one family member’s daily experiences of emotion can predict another family member’s emotions. However, many studies overlook the importance of accurately studying daily experiences and have focused on the transmission of emotion-related constructs instead of emotions themselves. The goal of the current study was to examine the extent to which parents’ and children’s negative and positive daily affect are bidirectionally related, and the extent to which these relations differ depending on (a) child sex, (b) parental depressive symptoms, and (c) family …

Preparing Culturally And Linguistically Responsive Teachers Across Contexts: Community-Based Learning And Intercultural Telecollaboration, Sumei Wu

Teaching and Learning Theses and Dissertations

Utilizing a three-paper structure, this dissertation examines complementary approaches to supporting teachers in learning from and with one another as a community of educators developing their expertise to teach culturally and linguistically diverse learners. The first approach of community-based learning has a longer research trajectory because it examines the context of face-to-face tutor­ing, in which teachers work directly with diverse learners in a physical setting as part of professional learning and move through a feedback cycle, planning – enacting – feedback - reflection. The second approach shifts into a growing area of interest, telecollaboration, for teacher educators, particularly in second …

Integrating Different Data Sources For Estimation Of Total With Unknown Population Size, Zhaoce Liu

Statistical Science Theses and Dissertations

Probability sampling has served as the gold-standard in survey practice for many decades. However, as many new data collection methods become available, it is possible to improve the quality and efficiency of traditional survey practices by integrating different sample sources. Web-based surveys from the so-called opt-in panels are one type of nonprobability sample that becoming popular these years. They often come with large sample sizes to yield efficient estimates, but selection bias may compromise the generalizability of results to the broader population.

Our motivating example is a survey conducted by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), which collects data to …

Deep Neural Network Based Student Response Modeling With Uncertainty, Multimodality And Attention, Xinyi Ding

Computer Science and Engineering Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, I investigate deep neural network based student response modeling, more specifically Knowledge Tracing (KT). Knowledge Tracing allows Intelligent Tutoring Systems to infer which topics or skills a student has mastered, thus adjusting curriculum accordingly. Deep neural network based knowledge tracing models like Deep Knowledge Tracing (DKT) and Dynamic Key-Value Memory Network (DKVMN) have achieved significant improvements compared with conventional probabilistic models. There are mainly two goals in this thesis: 1) To have a better understanding of existing deep neural network based models and their predictions through visualization and through incorporating uncertainties. 2) To improve the performance of …

Urban Growth, Low Impact Development, And Seattle's Stormwater Management System, Katherine Baals

Seattle Journal of Technology, Environmental, & Innovation Law

No abstract provided.

Modelling Optimal Control Of Heavy Alcohol Consumption On The Transmission Dynamics Of Hiv/Aids, Emmanuel Ongodia, Gasper G. Mwanga

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

Unhealthy consumption of alcohol continues to be found everywhere in our communities leading to behavioural and physiological effects on neuro-cognitive function. This results into high-risk sexual behaviour mainly due to impaired decision- making capacity and impulsivity, a catalyst of HIV infection and ultimately AIDS. This paper investigates the best control combination for HIV/AIDS pandemic in a community with alcohol abuse problem. It proposes a compartmental deterministic model for the transmission dynamics of HIV/AIDS in a community plagued with alcohol abuse. The paper determines the implementation of optimal control strategies involving reduction of new HIV cases through the ABC (abstinence, being …

The Profession's Role In Helping Psychologists Balance Society's Interests With Their Clients' Interests, Alfred Allan

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Objective: Psychologists find it difficult to balance their clients' and society's interests when these interests differ from each other, such as when their clients pose a risk of harm to others. Society's increasing preoccupation with harm makes their task even more difficult. The first aim with this article is to determine the reactions of those who make, enforce, and use law to address society's concerns and how they impact on psychologists. The second aim is to propose how the profession can assist psychologists deal with the competing demands prompted by these reactions.

Method: A legal-ethical analysis was used to identify …

On The Basis Of Gender: Discrimination Against Transgender People In The Hiring Process, Aaron N. Baillargeon

Senior Honors Projects, 2020-current

The study investigated the effect of a job applicant’s gender identity (male or female) and gender history (cisgender or transgender) on the evaluated quality of the applicant and the likelihood of the applicant being hired for a vacant software engineer position. Participants from the worker pool of Amazon’s Mechanical Turk evaluated the quality of a fictitious job applicant based on a mock resume and background check created for the purposes of this study, then completed the Social Dominance Orientation. There was no significant effect of gender identity or gender history on the evaluated quality of the job applicant or on …

Religion Wrecked Her Mind: Religious Insanity In The Nineteenth Century, Courtney Lacy

Religious Studies Theses and Dissertations

In this project, I analyze how the line between good and bad religions, as constructed through secularism, influenced whether or not practitioners of religion were sent to insane asylums or, at least, considered by their peers or family to be at risk of insanity or on the brink of it. Exploring these questions revealed the link between religion and insanity but also showed how some religious practices (especially ecstatic behavior) placed believers at even greater risk because of the threat to the secular and progressive narrative encouraged by the people around them.

By placing the asylum narrative in conversation with …

Benefits Of Equine-Based Therapy For Individuals With Dementia, Lauren Fearn

Student Capstone Papers

Individuals living with dementia typically experience progressive, cognitive, and functional decline which limits their ability to communicate and fully perform activities (Pimouguet el al., 2019). Horses have been shown to benefit individuals with dementia by improving well-being, physical health, functional capacity, and social relationships (Fields et. al., 2019).

A 6-week OT-based virtual equine-assisted activities program was conducted to determine if participation in equine-assisted activities could improve the quality of life of individuals with dementia. Outcomes of the program resulted in improvements in mood, energy level, engagement, communication, memory, socialization, and overall quality of life.

School Principals’ And Counselors’ Focus On College-Going: The Impact Of School Leader Expectations And Primary Counseling Goals On Postsecondary Education, Jungnam Kim, Rachel Louise Geesa, Kaylee Mcdonald

Journal of College Access

The purpose of this study was to examine how school counselors’ and principals’ primary counseling goals and expectations impact postsecondary enrollment in order to learn what best helps students achieve their postsecondary goals. It was found that school counselors’ expectations of students were positively related to students’ postsecondary education decisions. Further, it was found that principals’ primary school counseling goals regarding preparing students for postsecondary education was significantly related to an increase in students’ decisions to receive this education. These findings support existing evidence that school counselors’ high expectations and principals’ primary goals are crucial in promoting college-going culture, which …

Inside The Black Box Of Text-Message College Advising, Karen D. Arnold, Laura Owen, Jonathan Lewis

Journal of College Access

Making college access and success more equitable at a national scale requires alternatives to intensive in-person modes of pre-college advising. Text-message advising campaigns are a promising intervention model for delivering college application and financial aid assistance affordably to large populations of college-intending, low-income students. College outcome results from a recent series of very large text-message programs have been disappointing however. Going inside the black box of text-message advising to understand why and how students engage in text-messaging programs can help explain program effects and inform the design of future virtual-advising programs. This study uses text mining techniques to investigate the …

The Student Experience Of Two-Way Text-Message College Advising: A First Glimpse, Karen D. Arnold, Venus Israni, Kathy Chau Rohn

Journal of College Access

This study examines the experiences of students enrolled in a text-messaging advising program in order to understand the conditions for impact in this rapidly proliferating intervention model. The program under study was a 15-state text-messaging college advising trial that attempted to increase the college enrollment outcomes of over 30,000 students who attended U.S. high schools with large percentages of low-income students. Data came from 3600 advisees who responded to text-message queries about their experiences in the texting program. The content of the queries was informed by focus group responses from 18 program participants. Results indicate that text-message college advising offered …

Predicting Attrition Of New Student Affairs Professionals Through Perceptions Of Work-Related Quality Of Life, Synergistic Supervision, And Executive Servant Leadership, Wendy Lushbaugh

Dissertations, 2020-current

Abstract

New professional attrition in Student Affairs has been established as a concern for the field (Bender, 1980; Lorden, 1998; Renn & Hodges, 2007; Marshall, Gardner, Hughes, & Lowery, 2016). The debilitating impacts on university finances, productivity, organizational stability, team disruption, and innovation as a result of this problem creates urgency for the field to understand its predictors. The current study reviewed the impact of new professionals’ work-related quality of life, their perception of the use of synergistic supervision by their direct supervisors, and their perception of the use of executive servant leadership by divisional leaders as potential predictors of …

Introductory Pages, Christopher W. Tremblay, Laura Owen, Patrick J. O'Connor Phd

Journal of College Access

No abstract provided.

College Choice And Enrollment Among Youth Formerly In Foster Care, Jacob P. Gross, Ellen Stolzenberg, Alex Williams

Journal of College Access

Despite being among the most disadvantaged groups with respect to college access and success in the United States, youth formerly in foster care (YFFC) remain an understudied population in higher education research. Although they aspire to college at high levels, youth in foster care enjoy less postsecondary access and success than their peers who have not experienced foster care. This study seeks to better understand how YFFC compare to their peers regarding college preparation, choice, enrollment, and financing; academic self-concept and degree aspirations; and concerns about paying for college. Using Perna's (2008) college choice model and data from the 2016 …

College 101: Sharing Experiences And Stories For Transformative Change, Christine Robinson

Journal of College Access

College 101 is powerful Pre-College Opportunity Program (PCoP) designed to expose at-risk high school students to the benefits of post-secondary education, to motivate them to stay in school, and to help them envision a future that includes post-secondary education. The unique features of College 101 include that it is grounded in the pedagogical approach of Real Talk (Hernandez, 2015), and that it is led mainly by College Positive Volunteers (CPVs). The goal of this study was to explore the experiences of at-risk high school students who engaged in the program at a mid-sized research university located in the Midwest. An …

Complete Issue, Christopher W. Tremblay, Laura Owen, Patrick J. O'Connor Phd

Journal of College Access

No abstract provided.