Digital Commons Network^™

The Impact Of Positive Psychology Use Upon Gls Outcomes For People With Chronic Pain Syndromes, Timothy Michael Curtis

Theses and Dissertations

The essence of being human is realized by our discovery of meaningful purpose throughout each important stage of our lives. If we perceive that we lack this meaningful purpose in our lives, it could become a distressful source of suffering to our sense of well-being emotionally, cognitively and perhaps, spiritually. A strong indicator of well-being comes from a good evaluation we ascertain as to how well we believe outcomes in our lives are consistent with our goals and values, which is also known as satisfaction with life. Research findings indicate that the more someone experiences repeated negative life events, the …

Arginine Vasotocin And Corticosterone In Nesting And Non-Nesting Loggerhead Sea Turtles In X’Cacel-X’Cacelito Sanctuary, Krista Blair Reed

Theses and Dissertations

Sea turtles exhibit distinct behaviors before and after egg laying, however, not all individuals successfully oviposit. Some females display disruptions in their typical nesting behavior, returning to the water without laying eggs, which is referred to as a non-nesting emergence (NNE). NNEs can be due to external disturbances on the beach, but why they occur is often unclear. Arginine vasotocin (AVT) is a neuropeptide involved in various physiological processes, including stimulating smooth muscle contraction of the oviduct to facilitate egg deposition in nesting sea turtles. On the other hand, corticosterone is the primary stress hormone in sea turtles and is …

Comparative Analysis Of Sequential And Non-Sequential Modeling Techniques For Ddos Attack Detection With Explainable Ai, Vincent Agbenyeavu

Theses and Dissertations

Cybersecurity is known today as one of the greatest challenges of the modern era. Among the various types of cyber-attacks that threaten our security, the Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack is among some of the most common, effective, and well-recognized attack strategies. Since this form of attack is meant to disrupt the availability factor covertly, it can be detrimental to the targeted machines and difficult to discover. Because of that, there have been several approaches, as well as solutions that have been devised to detect it as accurately and efficiently as possible. In this study, four sequential data modeling …

Interdigitated Gear-Shaped Screen-Printed Electrode Using G-Pani Ink For Sensitive Electrochemical Detection Of Stress Related Hormones Dopamine And Cortisol, Pritu Parna Sarkar

Theses and Dissertations

This research introduces a novel interdigitated gear-shaped graphene-based electrochemical biosensor for the simultaneous detection of dopamine (DA) and cortisol. Modified with graphene–polyaniline (G–PANI) conductive ink, the sensor increased active surface area—94.52% and 57% higher than Metrohm DropSens 110 and circular printed sensors, respectively. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed for physicochemical characterization. The sensor detects dopamine and cortisol over a linear range of 0.1–100 µM, with limits of detection of 0.043 µM (R² = 0.98) and 0.0577 µg/mL (R² = 0.976), respectively, in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) using redox probe. Electrochemical performance …

The Real Story Of “The Happy Mother”: A Narrative Inquiry Exploring The Construction Of Motherhood And Postpartum Depression, Elizabeth Erin Falconer

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The transition to motherhood is a complex and challenging period, during which mothers undergo a considerable number of biological, hormonal, and identity changes. The first six to eight weeks following childbirth is a time of great susceptibility to postpartum depression for mothers. Despite its prevalence, there is a lack of research beyond the biological understanding of the experience. Prior literature has examined the biological aspects of postpartum depression and its societal influences on motherhood. However, no prior study has explored how postpartum depression impacts mothers’ construction and understanding of motherhood through investigating their subjective, lived experiences. This study fills that …

"I'Ll Leave The Back Porch Light On:" An Exploration Of The Legitimization Of Same-Gender Male Couple Members Through Marriage And Parenthood For Those With Adverse Coming Out Experiences, Devin S. Simpkins

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Reczek and Bosley-Smith (2022) identified several reasons why queer adult children reported feeling compelled to maintain relationships with their rejecting parents, and the strategies that they utilized to do so. The construct of legitimization exists within a heteronormative context, contributing to the theory that adherence to cis-heteronormative relational ideals allows same-gender couples to have a greater chance of being accepted by the dominant culture (Chevrette & Eguchi, 2020). Unintentional or deliberate aligning with idealized images of traditional (i.e., cisgender and heterosexual) couples or families is a means by which same-gender couples may seek this acceptance.

The present study sought to …

Identifying The Diagnostic Challenges And Indicators Of Orthostatic Tremor: Patient Perspectives, Diego Torresrussotto

All Publications

Background: The diagnosis of orthostatic tremor (OT) is challenging because of its non-specific symptoms and a broad range of differential diagnosis, resulting in a complex and lengthy diagnostic journey.

Objective: The aim was to assess the diagnostic delay in OT and to identify key clinical indicators as reported by patients.

Methods: In 2019, the American OT community developed and distributed a web-based survey titled "Symptoms and Diagnosis of Orthostatic Tremor (OT)." The survey included questions on demographics, the diagnostic process, and symptomatology.

Results: An international cohort of 360 OT patients participated in the study, of which 147 with electromyography (EMG)-confirmed …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Practicing In The Laboratories Of Democracy: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Of How Political Science Faculty Use Simulations With Community College Students, James Stewart Shifflett

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

Political science faculty members have often used simulations to promote civic engagement and build political efficacy in students. However, the use of political simulations with community college students has not been studied as extensively as it has with their four-year counterparts. Through the interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) methodology, this study examined the experiences of nine political science faculty members who use simulations with community college students to understand how instructional designers might better support their civic engagement and design efforts. Faculty members who participated in the study use simulations as constructive social interactions; as comprehensive learning experiences integrating preparation, facilitation …

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. …

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 …

Role Of Cellular Proteins In The Regulation Of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 Gene Expression And Dna Replication, Joseph R. Heath

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a ubiquitous human pathogen that infects the majority of the human population. To facilitate infection, this virus relies on a combination of host and viral factors. Previous studies have revealed a number of host proteins that associate with the HSV-1 genome throughout infection but their putative role(s) in this process remain undefined. This study aims to examine two such proteins to determine their contributions to HSV-1 gene expression and DNA replication. The first of these factors is Ints3, a subunit of the Integrator complex. This protein complex functions in transcription regulation, and Ints3 …

Examining The Impact Of A Utility Value Intervention On Self-Regulated Learning Engagement, Wanda D. Brooks

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of inserting a motivation intervention into a self-regulated learning training in an introductory biology course to increase academic performance and persistence to degree completion in science. The study was an experimental design with pre- and post-tests, with treatment and comparison groups. The training was in the form of three self-regulated learning cycles presented to students on a Blackboard Organization site where students were asked to record self-regulated learning activities in a journal during training. The primary aim of the intervention was to increase engagement in the self-regulated learning training by …

Language Barriers In Accessing Healthcare Services For Refugees In The United States, Sadaf Khuram

Communication & Theatre Arts Theses

Accessing healthcare is a pivotal aspect of refugees' integration into their host countries and significantly impacts their long-term health outcomes. The literature emphasizes the critical role of language proficiency in overcoming communication barriers within healthcare settings. This thesis, however, challenges the assumption that addressing language barriers alone is universally sufficient. It argues that the importance of language solutions is context-dependent, varying with the design of healthcare systems and the diverse needs and backgrounds of refugees. In some cases, focusing primarily on language barriers can divert resources from other critical areas, particularly when healthcare facilities have limited capacities or when services …

“We Are Trans, But We’Re Not Transitional”: Exploring Safety, Place, And Space In The Lives Of Transgender Individuals In Southeastern Virginia, Susana Avalos

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

In general, little research exists on trans people’s spatial experiences despite space being highly relevant to their experiences of violence and perceptions of safety. To date, two criminological studies have examined LGBTQ people’s fear of crime in relation to public or private places and spaces. This is in stark contrast to the sizable place and space literature on cisgender men and women. These topics from the perspectives of trans people are underexplored primarily because most criminological research has historically upheld binarized understandings of gender. Safety should not be privileged or limited to certain groups, individuals, or spaces. Instead, safety should …

Persistence And Completion Rates Of Community College Students: The Impact Of Receptivity To Social Engagement Scores Compared To Recorded Cocurricular Activity, Nancy Wagner Boylan

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

This study examined the relationship between Ruffalo Noel Levitz College Student Inventory Receptivity to Social Engagement scores and the persistence and completion of community college students. The Ruffalo Levitz College Student Inventory assesses student receptivity to institutional support services. Receptivity scores indicate a student's willingness to accept help in areas such as academic support and social engagement as well as career and financial guidance.

This research explored the impact of documented cocurricular involvement, measured through student activities indicators, on persistence and completion outcomes. Using ex post facto data and binary logistic regression analyses, the research focused on three populations at …

Exploring The Relationship Between Cannabis Use Motives And Readiness To Change Among Young Adult College Students, Emma Kathryn Rawls

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Cannabis use among young adult college students has risen steadily over the past decade, raising concerns about the associated health, academic, and psychological consequences. While cannabis use motives and readiness to change have each been linked to use patterns and outcomes, limited research has examined how these factors interact. The current study investigated whether readiness to change, based on the Transtheoretical Model (TTM), moderates the relationship between cannabis use motives and cannabis-related consequences as well as past-30-day use frequency. A sample of 100 college students 18-25 years old (M_age = 20.08, SD = 2.12; 67% female; 55.0% Black or …

A Place To Pause: Designing Ritual Space In The Domestic Realm, Elise Miller

Theses

Modern society in Western developed countries is focused on the rush and go, often leaving people feeling discombobulated from constant running around, task-oriented days and switching of roles one must play in different areas of their life, such as at home, work, socializing, parenting, etc. How can ritual bring a sense of calmness and order to lives of those on the go? Ritual studies are often only categorized under psychology, sociology, or religious studies. However, as industrial design encompasses human interaction with objects, often with an emotional quality, ritual can be studied more wholesomely with the added lens of industrial …

Haunted Echoes, Stuti Kasat

Theses

Haunted Echoes explores the narrative and emotional possibilities of interactive digital fiction by creating a room-based haunted experience. By placing the users within a haunted manor the project encourages emotional discovery through narrative exploration. As a room-based exploratory experience, users get to navigate a dollhouse-style 3D interface, interacting with objects to reveal layered micro-stories and uncover the manor’s haunted past. The experience turns spatial exploration into emotional discovery, drawing inspiration from immersive theater, point-and-click adventures, and environmental storytelling in video games. The thesis examines the intersection and overlap of interactive storytelling, visual communication, and emotional immersion, integrating 3D modeling (Blender/Cinema …

Electronic Health Record Downtime, Grace R. Baldauf

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Electronic health record (EHR) downtime presents significant challenges to patient safety and care quality in acute care settings, particularly regarding timely medication administration. This project addressed the problem of late or absent medication doses during planned or unplanned EHR downtime. The investigator aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a structured downtime plan in improving nurses’ ability to administer medications on time during periods of EHR unavailability. The investigator used a quantitative design to implement a downtime plan evaluation paradigm. Data were collected using retrospective chart reviews of medication administration records pre-implementation and postimplementation of the downtime plan. The sample included …

Overcoming Second-Order Barriers To Teachers’ Technology Integration: A Study Of Positive Impacts, Crystal Ann Hume

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study explored K–12 public school teachers’ self-efficacy, value, and pedagogical beliefs about technology. The teachers worked in a medium-sized, semi-affluent public school district in North Texas. The study investigated second-order barriers to technology integration and what might positively impact teachers’ self-efficacy, value, and pedagogical beliefs. This study used a qualitative descriptive methodology to collect qualitative data about their beliefs by interviewing and observing K–12 classroom teachers who had completed a bachelor’s degree through a traditional teacher education program. Teachers with alternative certifications or noncertified classroom instructors were omitted. Findings revealed that external factors, failure, mistakes, confidence, and professional development …

Institutional Betrayal And Military Vaccine Mandates: An Inquiry Into Loss Of Health Autonomy Concerning Unlimited Liability Contractual Employment In The Covid-19 Era, Aaron G. Dehaven

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The balance between government control and personal liberty is a growing concern in the modern world. Nowhere is this more evident than in discussions surrounding government policy in public health and individual health autonomy. The Covid-19 pandemic forced many institutions to change their standard operating procedures by adapting to rapidly changing health guidance instituted to protect public health. These changes highlighted the role of health autonomy and individuals’ rights to refuse medical treatments. The Department of Defense changed many aspects of how it operated during the pandemic, including the mandate of the Covid-19 vaccine for all service members. For various …

Origin Of Purpose, Career Satisfaction, And Life Satisfaction: A Quantitative Study On Early Career Professionals, Anne K. Hocking

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Since the early 2000s, research has increased on purpose and how it correlates with fulfillment outcomes in life and career satisfaction. This research has been valuable in professional and academic fields and helped develop leadership practices and interventions for organizations to increase satisfaction levels among employees and students. This study focused on the general problem that research dedicated to purpose has not adequately addressed whether origin of purpose affect its outcomes on fulfillment levels, particularly those of life and career satisfaction. To address this consideration, the researcher conducted a quantitative associative correlation to measure if and to what extent origin …