Digital Commons Network^™

Factors Influencing Employees’ Ai Adoption Intentions In Occupational Settings, Emma G. Wituk

All Theses

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a burgeoning technology whose development has many implications for organizations and employees. Using a modified version of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework, this study tested performance expectancy (PE; the belief that AI will enhance personal job performance) and prior AI experience (EXP) as predictors of behavioral intention (BI) to use an AI coaching tool, Nadia. We expected both PE and EXP to be positively related to adoption intentions. Additionally, social influence (SI; respondent’s belief that other individuals think they should adopt AI) and facilitating conditions (FC; appropriate infrastructure and adequate …

Comparison Of The Recent Icrp Occupational Intakes Of Rradionuclides Series To Annual Limits On Intake (Ali) In The United States For Select Radionuclides, Aidan B. Barker

All Theses

Dose coefficients (DCs) and secondary limit values (such as the annual limit on intake [ALI] and derived air concentration [DAC]) are useful and convenient quantities in radiation protection (RP) for estimation of radiological dose and the practical application of dose limits. DCs link radioactivity intake to dose while secondary limit values express a dose limit in terms of the type and extent of exposure. The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), an international organization which provides guidance and recommendations for RP, calculates, tabulates, and updates DCs following new findings and updated knowledge relevant to dose determination (e.g. improved human biokinetics, …

Generalizing Threshold-Based Multiparty Computation To Ramp Schemes, Christian Tucker

All Theses

Secure multiparty computation (MPC) enables multiple participants to jointly compute functions over their private inputs without revealing them. Classical threshold based protocols, such as the BGW protocol, perform computations on scalar values using (k,n)-threshold secret sharing. While these protocols provide strong security guarantees, they become computationally expensive when applied to large matrices or multiple secret values. In this work, we investigate the use of ramp schemes, secret sharing schemes that encode sets of secrets with a trade-off between privacy and efficiency, to generalize BGW computations. We show that the linear operations performed on shares (k,n)-threshold schemes in BGW can be …

Optimizing Endothelial Cell Specific Polymersome-Based Atheroprotective Therapies, Ally C. Brawner

All Theses

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the United States and the world. Every year, billions of dollars are spent in the US alone for direct treatments of this disease, especially on prescription medicines like statins. However, these medications have been unable to curtail global mortality rates, partially because they do not target the entirety of atherosclerotic pathophysiology. A key area of this pathophysiology is that atheroprone arteries typically include pro-inflammatory endothelial cells that exhibit decreased levels of apoAI-mediated cholesterol efflux and an increased release of adhesion molecules, such as VCAM-1. The objective of my project …

Awareness And Usability Of Community And Facility-Based Health Sector Client Feedback Mechanism In Tanzania Public Health System. A Mixed Methods Study, James Kengia, Pius Kagoma, Ally Kinyaga, Helga Mutasingwa, Simon Debere, Robert Smith, Marcos Mzeru, Rashid Mbunda, Claud Kumalija, Paschal Ruggajo

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background Client feedback systems are increasingly becoming important in person-centered health care. The systems provide opportunities to the public to interact with the health care providers and policymakers, present their concerns related to the performance of the health care system in order to improve the quality, equity, and responsiveness in the provision of services, hence increase social accountability. This study aimed to assess the situation of client feedback systems in Tanzania, focusing on the awareness and usability of existing facility- and community-based feedback platforms from the client’s perspective.

Methods The study employed a concurrent mixed-method design using both quantitative and …

Masthead

MC Law Review

No abstract provided.

Robotic Monitoring System For Complex Aquatic Environments, William Fairman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Persistent monitoring in an aquatic environment is critical in many scientific and industrial applications. In-situ sensors that record water quality metrics, like dissolved oxygen, are essential in many aquaculture applications. Existing monitoring solutions can be cost prohibitive, difficult to maintain, and are typically deployed in fixed locations. This limits the usefulness of such systems in complex aquatic environments like coastal zones or pond aquaculture farms where bodies of water can be isolated from each other. In this dissertation research, an autonomous data collection framework is proposed to provide low-cost water quality monitoring through the combination of a variety of sensors …

Microfluidic Investigation Of Green Carbon Capture, Storage, And Utilization Using Waste Concrete And Seawater, Abhishek Ratanpara

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology has emerged as a primary engineering pathway to mitigate global warming and climate instability. For carbon capture, amine-based absorption and stripping are widely used due to their high capture efficiency and retrofit compatibility. However, these systems generate toxic wastewater, consume large volumes of freshwater, and require significant regeneration energy. For carbon utilization and storage, deep saline aquifers and carbon dioxide (CO2)- assisted enhanced oil recovery (EOR) have been proven to be feasible options at the industrial scale; however, concerns remain about long-term subsurface storage integrity and limited efficiency in carbonate reservoirs containing more …

Do Need For Cognition And Need For Affect Moderate The Relationship Between Lecture Style, Learning Strategies, And Retention?, Mary Chapman

Dissertations

Boredom is detrimental to academic achievement. Using shallow learning strategies such as rote memorization is similarly unfavorable for success in academic settings compared to using deep learning strategies such as generating examples. Such is the consensus among scholars, but research conducted in both constructs reveals inconsistencies. The purpose of this study was to experimentally manipulate boredom and learning strategies to determine how boredom and learning strategies impact achievement, as well as to investigate whether certain individual differences, need for cognition and need for affect, change the relationships between boredom, learning strategies, and retention. In an online study, I recruited 131 …

The Psychological Impacts Of Higher Education Educators During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Ashlee Morgan Kemp

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological well-being of higher education educators—specifically stress, anxiety, depression, alienation, and burnout—and to identify the coping strategies they employed while adapting to emergency hybrid instruction. This study was guided by the following research questions: What were the primary psychological impacts on higher education instructors’ well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic? How did the pandemic influence instructors’ experiences of stress, anxiety, depression, alienation, and burnout? Additionally, in what ways did educators cope with the instructional and professional challenges that emerged during this period? Guided by a …

Lgbtq+ Adolescents With Disabilities’ Experiences Of School Connectedness And Identity Navigation, Lyndsay Loretta Mccabe

Dissertations

In the United States, LGBTQ+ students have recently faced a barrage of school-based anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and policies (American Civil Liberties Union, 2025). Little is known about the effects of such policies and the overall sociopolitical climate on school connectedness and identity navigation for LGBTQ+ adolescents with disabilities. School connectedness, or the degree to which students feel that they belong at their school, is associated with numerous academic, behavioral, and social-emotional benefits (K. Allen et al., 2018; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022b). Students who are at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities, such as LGBTQ+ adolescents with disabilities, …

Effects Of Exercise Timing On Circadian Rhythm And Functional Outcomes In Cancer Patients Undergoing Treatment, Buck Williams Covington Ii

Dissertations

Poor sleep quality and circadian rhythm disruption are commonly reported among cancer survivors and may contribute to worsened health outcomes, including increased fatigue, psychological distress, and reduced quality of life. While some recent studies suggest that exercise can improve sleep and circadian regulation in cancer survivors, limited research exists on how the timing of this exercise affects these outcomes in cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 12-week supervised exercise intervention, performed either in the morning (AX) or evening (PX), on functional capacity, subjective and objective sleep quality, and peripheral markers of circadian …

A Qualitative Examination Of Sport Management Faculty Challenges Faced During Implementation Of Game-Based Learning Within The Classroom, Yash Kishore Padhye

Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the experiences of sport management faculty in implementing game-based learning and to identify the institutional and instructional challenges they face across Doctoral Research Universities (Research 1 [R1] institutions), Doctoral Research Universities [Research 2 [R2] institutions), Research 3 (Research Colleges and Universities [R3]), and teaching-focused institutions. Guided by the Theory of Gamified Learning and Bloom’s Taxonomy, this research explored how institutional context, faculty workload, and available resources influence the adoption of game-based learning. Using purposive and snowball sampling, 20 sport management faculty members were interviewed, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis …

The Interpretation And Historical Performance Practices Of Black Choral Music: The Spiritual And Gospel Music, A Comparative Study, Travis Terrence Kornegay

Dissertations

African American spirituals and gospel music are two foundational folk traditions that have profoundly shaped the American musical landscape and continue to influence cultural identity and sacred expression. Emerging from the resilience and faith of enslaved African Americans, spirituals often carried coded messages of liberation. Meanwhile, gospel music developed in the early twentieth-century urban Black church, blending elements of spirituals, blues, and jazz to communicate collective and personal religious experiences. Although linked by shared cultural lineage, the genres diverge in their historical development, linguistic expression, and performance practices, necessitating comparative scholarly inquiry. This dissertation investigates the similarities and key differences …

Stayin’ Alive: Examining The Moderating Effect Of Suicide Resilience On The Relationship Between Sexual Minority Stress And Subjective Well-Being, Natalie A. Sachs

Dissertations

Suicidality among sexual minorities is concerning and results from increased social stress, societal stigma, and experiences of discrimination. The effects of sexual minority stress (SMS) lead to negative outcomes for sexual minority college students. The purpose of the current study was to better understand the role of suicide resilience in moderating the adverse effects of SMS among sexual minority college students. The following research questions and hypotheses guided this study: Q1 Does SMS have any effect on subjective well-being among college-student sexual minority individuals (SMIs)? Q2 Does SMS have any effect on suicide resilience among college student SMIs? Q3 To …

Emotion Beliefs, Emotion Regulation, And Dyadic Coping In Couples, Emily Corrinne Bach

Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to extend the existing literature on and better understand the relationships between emotion beliefs, emotion regulation (ER), and dyadic coping (DC) in romantic relationships. While prior research has examined how ER relates to emotion beliefs and DC, this study was the first to integrate these three domains and to investigate how emotion beliefs may also influence the regulation of others’ emotions. A nationally representative sample of 317 adults (18-65) were recruited through Prolific (total cost $1150). Two conceptual models were developed to examine the direct and indirect effects of maladaptive emotion beliefs on DC …

Teaching Literacy Foundations (2nd Edition), Debra D. Murphy

ATU Faculty OER Books and Materials

Goals and Objectives of the Textbook

This textbook aims to equip educators with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to create rich and inclusive literacy learning environments for all students. The specific objectives of the textbook are:

1. To present a historical and theoretical framework for understanding literacy development and instruction.

2. To explore the essential components of literacy instruction, including phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary development, reading fluency, reading comprehension, and writing instruction.

3. To provide practical strategies and activities for teaching and assessing literacy skills.

4. To discuss differentiated instruction and inclusive practices that address the diverse needs of …

Order And Structure In Syntax Ii: Subjecthood & Argument Structure, Chih-Hsin Hsu

ATU Faculty OER Book Reviews

Review of Order and Structure in Syntax II: Subjecthood & Argument Structure edited by Michelle Sheehan and Laura R. Bailey.

Essentials Of Linguistics, 2nd Ed., Chih-Hsin Hsu

ATU Faculty OER Book Reviews

Review of Essentials of Linguistics, 2nd ed. by Catherine Anderson.

The Science Of Syntax, Chih-Hsin Hsu

ATU Faculty OER Book Reviews

Review of  The Science of Syntax by John Gluckman

Brehe's Grammer Anatomy, Chih-Hsin Hsu

ATU Faculty OER Book Reviews

Review of Brehe's Grammar Anatomy by Steven Brehe.

Collaborative Textbook On English Syntax, Chih-Hsin Hsu

ATU Faculty OER Book Reviews

Review of OER English textbook by Matt Garley and Karl Hagen, available at https://pressbooks.cuny.edu/englishsyntax/

Developing Consensus For A More Provider-Friendly Next-Generation Sequencing Molecular Biomarker Report: A Joint Consensus Recommendation Of The Association For Molecular Pathology And College Of American Pathologists, Jane Gibson, Hanadi El Achi, Dana Altenburger, Noah Brown, Amy S Clark, Joshua Coleman, Rajyasree Emmadi, Amber M Fussell, Meera Hameed, Danielle Jordan, Jennifer Laudadio, Anthony Provenzano, Robyn L Temple-Smolkin, Christopher G Suciu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Despite the increasing availability of next-generation sequencing (NGS) gene panel analysis for cancers, published reports suggest underutilization of testing, citing the shortage of credentialed professionals available to assist with the interpretation of test results among the key barriers. Obtaining a multidisciplinary consensus regarding a shared best practice NGS molecular biomarker reporting section template may facilitate introduction and/or increased testing for institutions that adopt similar report structures by improving report effectiveness and efficiency for both health care providers and laboratory professionals, leading to improved patient care. To address this challenge, the Association for Molecular Pathology convened a multidisciplinary collaborative expert working …

Prospective Trial Of Cerebrospinal Fluid Filtration After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Via Lumbar Catheter Extension (Pillar-Xt), Spiros L Blackburn, Marc A Babi, Andrew W Grande, Omar A Choudhri, Erik F Hauck, Christopher P Kellner, Michael C Giordano, Shivanand P Lad, Aaron R Mccabe

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: There is a growing consensus that blood in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is deleterious to outcomes in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. The extracorporeal filtration of subarachnoid hemorrhage via spinal catheter extension study evaluated the safety, tolerability, and filtration curve of blood and its lysis products from hemorrhagic CSF using the Neurapheresis CSF Management System.

Methods: After aneurysm repair, a dual-lumen intrathecal catheter was inserted into the study participant's spinal canal. CSF was extracorporeally filtered for up to 72 h, removing blood products from the lumbar cistern, and reintroducing filtered CSF to the thoracic subarachnoid space. Neurological examinations were …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of An Air Purification System In Reducing Bacterial Chondronecrosis With Osteomyelitis Lameness In Broiler Chickens, Abdulaziz Ali Alqahtani

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Bacterial chondronecrosis with osteomyelitis (BCO) is the primary cause of lameness in commercial broiler production and has a profound impact on animal welfare and cost-effectiveness. The purpose of this experiment was to examine the effect of an air purification system on mitigating BCO lameness in broiler chickens. One thousand eight hundred broiler chicks were reared in two side-by-side research barns. Eight air filtration units were installed in one building, and none in the other. Treatment groups in both houses included positive control birds on wire flooring to induce BCO, as well as negative control, feed additive, vaccination, and a combination …

Advancement Of Wearable Hardware & Possible Cross-Sector Applications, Yassine Chahid, Patrick Slattery

Publications and Research

This study examines recent advances in wearable technologies including smart glasses, watches, rings, and related devices. It evaluates their applications across healthcare, manufacturing, education, and logistics. As real-time data collection, hands-free interaction, and continuous health monitoring become more prevalent, wearables are emerging as pivotal tools for both personal and professional contexts. The methodology combines a comparative analysis of current-generation devices, a review of technical specifications from manufacturer documentation, and case studies of specialized deployments, particularly in medical diagnostics, remote monitoring, and workplace efficiency. Project findings will indicate the rate at which wearable devices are moving beyond consumer fitness tracking and …

From Fruit To Nut: Revisiting Pili Nut (Canarium Ovatum Engl.) Production Capacities And Value-Adding Activities In Sorsogon, Philippines, Joey Richard V. Dio, Ryan V. Dio, Dulce Corazon F. Lacson

The Philippine Agricultural Scientist

The value chain of agricultural products significantly influences their profitability and socio-economic contribution. This study developed a descriptive model of the pili (Canarium ovatum Engl.) nut value chain in Sorsogon, the primary producer in the Philippines, and the only province with large-scale commercial operations. Using a descriptive research approach, data were collected through purposive interviews with 15 key informants—farmers, processors, and traders—guided by Porter’s value-chain framework. Results indicate that Sorsogon produces about 3 times the quantity required daily (< 2,233 kg) by Bicol-based processors, leading to underutilization and post-harvest losses attributed to limited storage facilities and market linkages. The processing stage, which converts pili fruits into nuts and kernels, demonstrates the highest operational efficiency, while the trading stage remains constrained by limited market access. Stakeholders often perform overlapping functions, and traditional sun-drying methods remain common. Furthermore, an aging farming population, limited succession planning, and inconsistent implementation of food safety standards continue to pose challenges to industry growth. These inefficiencies result in reduced profitability and restrict expansion. Strengthening the value chain through improved processing systems, broader market integration, and streamlined production activities is necessary to enhance economic returns and support the sustainable growth of Sorsogon’s pili nut industry.

A Neutrosophic Monte Carlo Framework For Modeling Indeterminate Participation And Cultural Impact In Tourism Service Quality Of Ethnic Sports Events, Chaolumen Ge, Xuelian Liu

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

A Neutrosophic Framework For Resolving Statistical Paradoxes And Hypothesis Ambiguities In University Music Programs Teaching Quality Evaluation, Ying Zhang

Neutrosophic Sets and Systems

No abstract provided.

Advancing Effective Connectivity Analysis: Robust And Sparse Group Dynamic Causal Modeling Via Extended Parametric Empirical Bayes, Godfred Arhin

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Dynamic Causal Modeling (DCM) provides a principled framework for estimating effective connectivity in neuroimaging data, with Parametric Empirical Bayes (PEB) enabling hierarchical inference across sessions and subjects. However, standard PEB assumes Gaussian distributions at all hierarchical levels and employs conventional shrinkage priors that do not enforce true sparsity, limiting robustness to outlying subjects and reducing sensitivity to parsimonious connectivity structures. This thesis introduces a robust, sparsity-inducing hierarchical extension to DCM-PEB that addresses these limitations through two key innovations. First, a Student-t group-level likelihood replaces the conventional Gaussian likelihood, automatically downweighting outlying subject-level parameters using adaptive precision weights while retaining computational …