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Kongsi Kematian Dan Perubahan Ritual Prosesi Kematian Tionghoa Di Padang, Eniwati Erniwati, Yelda Syafrina, Zulfa Saumia

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

This article discusses the changes in the implementation of death rituals organized by ethnic Chinese in Padang city. Documents in the form of photos and bylaws of the death ritual procession, an interview, and observations at the funeral home, crematorium of the Chinese socio-cultural and funeral association Himpunan Tjinta Teman (HTT), Himpunan Bersatu Teguh (HBT), and the Chinese cemetery complex in Bukit Sin Tiong and TPU Bungus Teluk Kabung are the sources of this article. The article's findings show that the performance of death procession rituals is an important part that marks the identity of the deceased and the family …

Narratives In Motion: The New Era Of Dam Building In East Africa, Andrew Nicholas Selassie Prado-Alipui

Theses and Dissertations

Narratives of energy insecurity, underdevelopment, and resource conflict influence how African hydropower projects are justified within the broader context of climate change and demands for sustainable development. The challenge of meeting energy demands provides the overarching motivation for ambitious large-scale hydropower projects in East Africa, especially in Tanzania and Ethiopia. As development projects, the Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP) and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) can be understood as vehicles of political discourse, framed as the technopolitical solution to questions of national identity that both countries face in the midst of sociopolitical and economic transformation periods. This research shows …

Limit Tests: Sociodemographic Representation In Public Organizations, Christopher Dee Eddy

Theses and Dissertations

Bureaucratic institutions are a critical yet often underappreciated nexus of democratic legitimacy. However, public agencies frequently fail to represent key constituencies of the American public, significantly influencing citizens' attitudes toward governing institutions and challenging effective governance. Research suggests that improving sociodemographic representation within political institutions can reinforce institutional support and citizen trust through symbolic processes and promote equitable policy outcomes through actions of bureaucrats from historically excluded groups.

Despite these insights, past research is divided on if, how, and when descriptive or passive representation leads to beneficial symbolic or active effects. While the existing body of representative bureaucracy theory offers …

The Impact Of Equity Literacy In Understanding, Creating, And Sustaining An Equitable School Climate, Kristen M. Ewing

Theses and Dissertations

There is an extraordinary culturally and linguistically diverse student population in America today; however, there is an overwhelmingly homogenous representation in educators, being predominantly White, middle-class, female, and monolingual (Howard, 2020; Tanase, 2020). The racial disparity between educators and students has serious consequences for marginalized students leaving many students undereducated and unprepared to compete in the world today (Howard, 2020). hooks (1994) claimed that educators are poorly prepared to confront diversity and we must focus on diversity and inclusion if we want to be more equitable and close the achievement gap. This qualitative action research study was centered around the …

Stability Of Space-Time Finite Element Discretizations Of Subdiffusive Time-Fractional Differential Equations, Gabriel Kenneth Staton

Theses and Dissertations

The study of anamolous diffusion, and in particular of subdiffusive time-fractional differential equations, is of great interest for its ability to describe transport of particles through porous media. The time-fractional derivatives in these problems are nonlocal, which notably hinders performance of classical time-stepping methods. As a result, there is significant interest in using simultaneous space-time discretizations for these subdiffusive problems, which have the additional benefit of significantly relaxing the regularity requirements for candidate solutions. These types of Petrov-Galerkin schemes require a careful choice of discretized trial and test spaces in order to guarantee stability; in particular, the usual Galerkin choice …

An Efficient Blockchain-Based Privacy Preservation Scheme For Smart Grids, Mohamad Badra, Rouba Borghol

All Works

Smart grids have revolutionized electricity management and distribution, but they also generate and transmit vast amounts of consumer data, raising privacy concerns. In this paper, we propose a blockchain-based solution to preserve user's privacy in smart grids and to mitigates data forgery, profiling, and man-in-the-middle attacks. Moreover, our solution provides security services such as authentication and non-repudiation to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data and ensure accountability and traceability. We validate our approach through testing and show that it is a simple, scalable, cost-effective solution with minimal computational processing overhead.

Developing Predictive Mathematical Model For Optimizing Coating Weight Variation In Galvalume Production: A Case Study Of A Metal Industry, Victoria Mahabi

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Variations in coating weight for galvanized steel sheets can result in notable differences between batches. Such variations may cause various issues, such as diminished corrosion resistance, lower mechanical strength, and visual defects, which can ultimately drive-up costs, lead to customer dissatisfaction, and pose safety risks. Even with attempts to manage elements like air knife pressure and line speed, coating weight inconsistencies remain challenging. The research focuses on developing a predictive mathematical model designed to optimize variations in coating weight during Galvalume production. The critical parameters influencing coating weight variation were identified and analysed using a systematic literature review, primary data …

Comparative Analysis On Design Error Risks In Design-Bid-Build And Design-Build Construction Approaches, Eradius Edward Rwakarehe

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This study was conducted to compare design errors risk in Design-Bid-Build (DBB) (traditional) and Design-Build (DB) methods in building projects. Several construction projects under both DB and DBB method were reviewed. On most of construction projects under DB method, it was found that there were over supply of floor area due to different reasons. Also, it was found that, clients’ requirements were changed during project execution, which resulted into change on schedule, contract value and project quality. It was also revealed that in most cases, designs were in accordance with the clients’ requirements as submitted earlier but during construction clients …

Investigation Of The Electrical Capacitance Tomography System For Determining The Spatial Distribution Of Moisture In Grain Storage, Shamte J. Kawambwa

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Excessive moisture content (MC) in stored grains promotes the growth of fungi and molds, which affects the quality of the grains. Effective grain monitoring methods are essential for detecting and managing grain spoilage. Electromagnetic imaging (EMI) techniques provide a promising alternative to traditional techniques by visualizing the spatial distribution of moisture within grains rather than merely average MC values offered by traditional techniques. However, existing EMI approaches often use hard-field waves, which are expensive and fragile. This study introduces an Electrical Capacitance Tomography (ECT) system that employs soft-field waves to monitor the moisture content of the grains. The system was …

Your Spotify Wrapped Year In Review – Data Privacy Edition, Saba Amid

Loyola of Los Angeles Entertainment Law Review

No abstract provided.

When My Intersecting Identities Of Being Racially Oppressed And Privileged Become Blurred: An Autoethnographic Dive Into Unlocking The Polarities Of Who I Am, Susan Acosta

Dissertations and Theses

Freire argued that each person is, at times, both the oppressor and the oppressed. He posited that the path to liberation is increased critical consciousness, problematizing our circumstances, and finding ways to take action. As a person from the global majority (PGM), this autoethnography incorporates my personal narratives, communication with colleagues, photo observations, and professional writings that problematizes and examines ways I have been both complicit in, or have been victimized by, racialized oppression, particularly in educational settings. I've had an increasingly keen sense of awareness toward my own racialized tensions when interacting with individuals, in groups, or with an …

Innovative Circular Business Model As A Tool For Applying Rational Consumption Of The Natural Resource Landscape, Nataliia Gavkalova, John Martin, Nadiia Shmygol

Professional Services

Economic growth within the traditional linear production model increases environmental pressure, depleting resources, and raising pollution levels. In contrast, the circular economy promotes closed production cycles, ensuring the repeated use of extracted resources. However, transitioning to this model requires active innovation adoption. Despite its rising popularity, circular economy concepts remain underdeveloped scientifically, lacking formulated models that comprehensively address implementation in both public and private sectors. This study aims to theoretically and practically substantiate the development of an innovative circular business model as a tool for rational natural resource consumption. Achieving this requires a multidisciplinary approach, integrating business models, technological innovations, …

Dementia Person Aligned Care Team – Dementia Support Study Feasibility Trial, Crispin Musicha, Tomasina Oh, Obioha C. Ukoumunne, Kimberley A. Goldsmith, Richard Byng, Siobhan Creanor

Faculty of Health Datasets

Statistics Report

Integrating Doctrine & Diversity Speaker Series: Expanding Doctrinal Dialogue With Foreign And International Current Events Content 04-30-2025, Roger Williams University University School Of Law

School of Law Conferences, Lectures & Events

No abstract provided.

Mental Health Courts: An Assessment Of Eligibility Criteria, Service Characteristics, And Public Opinion, Emily Suiter

Theses and Dissertations

Mental health courts, a type of specialty court targeting justice-involved persons with mental illness, have become prominent across the United States. Using a therapeutic jurisprudence approach, these courts largely operate independently with no guiding framework, leading to varied practices. Additionally, public opinion on mental health courts is unknown, causing potential problems as these courts are rapidly expanding and funded, at least partially, through taxpayer dollars. Chapter One of this dissertation provides a framework for the remainder of the dissertation. Chapter Two is a detailed literature review of relevant theories and past research regarding mental health courts. Chapters Three and Four …

Mapping Fire Susceptibility Of The South Carolina Coastal Plain, Breonna Roden

Theses and Dissertations

Wildfires are a natural hazard that have occurred across the world, throughout time. Regions prone to wildfires have been experiencing changes in their fire regimes. Not only has the fire season length increased, but the fires themselves are increasing in frequency and intensity. Wildfire research has been limited for the state of South Carolina, raising concerns along with global warming and population growth. Global warming is likely to become more extreme, which can lead to droughts becoming more frequent and lasting for longer periods of time. According to the 2020 census, South Carolina was the 10th fastest-growing state, which is …

Racial Contestations Of Space: Rural Preservation And Black Municipal Development In The South Carolina Lowcountry, Sydney Elizabeth Potter Smith

Theses and Dissertations

As newcomers flock to the South Carolina Lowcountry and drive development, the region has generally implemented strategies to preserve what remains of the region’s iconic rural landscapes by restricting new development in places that are designated as “Rural Areas”. These multi-scaler growth management strategies are problematic because they frame rural preservation as benefiting the greater good and prescribe a universal solution to urban sprawl, regardless of the individual needs of rural communities. This naturalizes and perpetuates forms of racial inequality across the landscape. Simultaneously, there are alternative spatial practices that aim to improve the quality of life for rural residents …

To Post Or Not To Post, That Is The Discussion: An Exploration Of Students’ Perceptions And Experiences With Using Online Collaboration Tools In Threaded Discussion Board Postings, Sherietta Farron Lane

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this mixed methods action research study was to explore how instructor presence, cognitive presence, and social presence impact students' perceptions and experiences when interacting, communicating, and collaborating in asynchronous discussions and collaborative activities during an introductory-level English literature course at a Southern career college. Online courses can create a sense of isolation due to a lack of student-to-student or student-to-instructor interaction. Discussion forums are a key communication tool to foster interaction in online courses. This action research focused on three questions: (1) How does the use of selected collaboration tools impact students’ perceptions of instructor presence in …

Bridging The Gap Between Science And Technology: A Descriptive Study Identifying Factors Influencing 6-8th Grade Science Teachers’ Implementation Of Virtual Laboratory Simulations, Coral Nicole Hoesli

Theses and Dissertations

Teachers at a South Carolina middle school in the United States were not implementing virtual laboratory simulations at the same rate as other middle schools in the district. This descriptive research examined 6th-8th grade middle school science teacher perceptions and influencing factors behind the choice to implement virtual laboratory simulations. The study examined two research questions: (1) what are the personal and social factors influencing science teachers’ decisions to implement a virtual laboratory simulation, and (2) what are the structural factors influencing science teachers’ decisions to implement a virtual laboratory simulation?

The National Educational Technology Plan (NETP) and the International …

Dust And Metals In Distant Galaxies, Fatima Elkhatib

Theses and Dissertations

Interstellar dust causes reddening and dimming of light from background objects. To analyze how different the dust in distant galaxies is compared to dust in nearby galaxies, we look at multiple background quasars and try to fit their spectra with various models for known galaxies that have differing dust grain populations combined with a quasar spectrum template. Through fitting these models, we found that dust in most of the foreground galaxies we analyzed is similar to the SMC bar, a relatively thin area selected from the Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC). However, we note that all the objects we studied did …

Of Grave Importance: A Collaborative Approach To Archaeological Research On The Cooper River Cemetery, Daufuskie Island, South Carolina, Angelina Towery-Tomasura

Theses and Dissertations

Land dispossession and displacement is a challenge being faced by the Gullah community in Lowcountry South Carolina. Land dispossession due to a phenomenon known as coastal capitalism, or, the increased interest in coastal property, on Daufuskie Island served as an impetus for Miss Sallie Ann Robinson, a Gullah, Daufuskie native, to reach out to academic communities to assist in the preservation of spaces including cemeteries. This led to the ongoing collaborative archaeology project on the Cooper River Cemetery to record information about burials and investigate the presence of those without any headstone markers. The Cooper River Cemetery is one of …

Assessing Relationships Between Water Quality, Precipitation, Land Cover And Stormwater Conveyance Type Across A Range Of Sub-Watersheds In The Southeastern Coastal Zone, Kevencia Sabine Gabriel Faton

Theses and Dissertations

The expansion of urban land use/cover along the coast may degrade water quality by introducing a plethora of pollutants and pathogens that negatively impact human and ecological health. It is hypothesized that anthropogenic contaminants associated with stormwater runoff increase with increasing urban density and vary with the timing and magnitude of rainfall. In this study, we examined land use/cover change and relationships between Escherichia coli (E. coli), turbidity, nutrients, and the timing and magnitude of rainfall in two different types of stormwater conveyances (ditches and ponds) within Murrells Inlet, SC during the summer of 2023. Our results indicate …

Young Children’S Reading Experiences In An Online Family Book Club Centered On Multimodal Responses, Ling Hao

Theses and Dissertations

This ethnographic case study explored Chinese American children’s heritage language and culture learning and their multimodal responses to culturally relevant picture books. I focus on six Chinese American families who participated in an online family book club. The children were between four and six years old. In each session, I first introduced Chinese characters or cultural traditions related to the book, and then had an interactive read aloud of a culturally relevant picture book. The children discussed the book with one parent and came up with a question and a connection. The children then responded to the book through creating …

Addressing Self-Efficacy And Off-Task Cellphone Use In Art 1 With Differentiated Instruction To Increase Student Achievement, Natasia Gregory

Theses and Dissertations

The following study looks at the impact differentiated instruction can have on students in a high school Art 1 course. This study includes three Art 1 classes from the spring of 2024. One class was taught with differentiated instruction methods, which focus on creating authentic learning experiences that allow student choice and are tailored to students' particular learning needs. Two other classes were taught with a more traditional teaching method which I have used in previous semesters before the shutdown of COVID-19. Quantitative and qualitative data from traditionally marginalized low achieving students in these three classes was collected over the …

Generation And Dimension For Derived Categories, Pat Lank

Theses and Dissertations

This work focuses on problems regarding derived categories arising in algebraic geometry and commutative algebra. There are six chapters regarding generation in the bounded derived category of coherent sheaves over a Noetherian scheme. The targeted topics involve explicitly identifying generators, proving existence results thereof, and producing estimates on Rouquier dimension.

Image-Based Sexual Abuse Victimization: Causes, Consequences, And Seeking Justice, Albina Laskovtsov

Theses and Dissertations

As technological advances and innovative communication methods are integrated into everyday life, concerns over the misuse and abuse of such technologies has warranted further interrogation. The particular act of image-based sexual abuse (IBSA) or nonconsensual pornography, has garnered much media and academic attention. IBSA is understood as the creation, dissemination, and/or threatening to create or disseminate illicit sexual images or videos of someone without their explicit consent. This three-article dissertation employs a three-fold approach in exploring the phenomenon of IBSA.

First, it applies a cyber theory of victimization, routine activity theory (RAT), in order to assess the risk of and …

Understanding The Instructional Decisions Of Middle-School Mathematics Teachers: Three Case Studies, Alissa Lockwood

Theses and Dissertations

This action research study aimed to explore how middle-school mathematics teachers make instructional decisions in the absence of a required curriculum. While the school site has an adopted textbook, many of the mathematics teachers view this resource as invaluable. Better understanding the decision-making process of mathematics teachers at the school site can provide critical information to better support the teachers. The research question that guided this action research was: How does it seem that middle-school mathematics teachers make instructional decisions? This sequential two-phase qualitative study examined decision-making from a 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th grade mathematics …

Bayesian Joint Modeling Of Longitudinal Data And Interval-Censored Failure Time Data, Yuchen Mao

Theses and Dissertations

Longitudinal data are a collection of repeated observations of the same subjects at different points in time. Interval-censored data arise when the time to the event of interest for each subject is never exactly observed but known to fall between two consecutive points in time. Joint analysis of longitudinal data and interval-censored failure time data can lead to more accurate estimates compared to separate modeling when the correlation among events of interest or intracluster correlation is present. The aim of this dissertation is to develop efficient and reliable joint analyses of longitudinal and interval-censored failure time data using Bayesian methods. …

Relative Performance Of Mlr, Wlsmv, And Bayes Estimators: An Investigation Using Confirmatory Factor Analysis With Ordinal Data, Tiejun Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the performance of four robust estimators— robust Maximum Likelihood for continuous data (MLR-CON), robust Maximum Likelihood for categorical data (MLR-CAT), robust Weighted Least Squares (WSLMV), and Bayes estimation—in the context of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) with ordinal data. The objective was to conduct a comprehensive assessment of their efficacy across varied data conditions. A simulation study was designed to comprise conditions that may be encountered with empirical research. The design included 90 cells with two levels of model specification (correct, misspecified), three sample sizes (100, 200, 500), five item distributions (symmetric, moderately asymmetric, moderately asymmetric-alternating, extremely asymmetric, …

Building A Framework For Analyzing Non-Linear And Multidimensional Kinetics, Mainak Dhar

Theses and Dissertations

Many materials exhibit multiple rates of molecular relaxation due to structural complexities. Standard linear and one-dimensional kinetic cannot extract all the necessary dynamic information about these systems. This dissertation contributes to an overarching scheme to develop new non-linear and multidimensional kinetic experiments to obtain this information. The studies span computation and experiments, picosecond to second timescales, and both single-molecule and pulsed-laser kinetics

Single-molecule kinetics experiments yield time series that contain information about unique structural and dynamic properties of materials. However, these time series are noisy, and data analysis is challenging. Parametric methods are computationally intensive and require strong, unverifiable assumptions …