Digital Commons Network^™

Impacts Of Early/Mid-Gestation Shearing On Umbilical Blood Flow And Lamb Birth Weight, Mara Johnson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Studies outside the USA have reported that shearing pregnant ewes during mid to late gestation increases lamb birth weight. Our hypothesis was that shearing pregnant ewes on day 50 of gestation would increase umbilical blood flow (UBF), fetal size, lambing and placental weights. Twenty-eight Polypay ewes were randomly assigned to two treatments: shorn (S) and sham-shorn (Control, CON) and divided in singleton (S: n=4; CON: n=4), twins (S: n=5; CON: n=5) and triplets (S: n=5; CON: n=5). Umbilical BF and fetal and placental measurements were obtained via ultrasonography every 10 days from day 50 to 110 of gestation. Lamb birth …

Impact Of Parental Involvement On Children’S Mental Health, Syeda Tasnime Kabir

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study estimates the causal effect of parental involvement on the mental health of primary school children in Bangladesh. Using an instrumental variables strategy that leverages local parental involvement norms, I find that increased parental involvement significantly reduces cognitive and emotional difficulties. Notably, I find that the protective effect of parental involvement varies by socio-economic context, showing weaker effects for children of mothers who married at an older age and those whose fathers live outside the household, but stronger effects in joint families. Furthermore, I identify two key mechanisms underlying these effects: accommodating parenting style and improved household hygiene practices. …

Isolation And Characterization Of Rhizobia Bacteria From Midwest Soils, Jr Loya

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Symbiotic bacteria, known as rhizobia, can colonize the roots of legume plants and then convert atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form by the host through the process called biological nitrogen fixation (BNF). Many of these bacteria produce other plant-growth-promoting benefits, such as nutrient acquisition, phytohormone production, and the modification of plant stress responses. Agricultural inoculants made from these bacteria have helped reduce the need for man-made nitrogenous fertilizers, known causes of pollution and eutrophication. There are additional benefits in developing bacteria inoculants local to regional soils. The ability to survive and compete in Midwest soil and climates present an opportunity …

Barriers To Philanthropy, Emily C. Collins

Graduate Research Papers

Philanthropy is widely regarded as a catalyst for social good, yet significant disparities remain between philanthropic intent and measurable impact. Despite there being more than $550 billion in annual charitable giving in the United States alone, systemic issues such as racial injustice, poverty, and inequality persist, prompting scrutiny of the philanthropic sector's overall effectiveness. This literature review delves into the complexities of the barriers that inhibit philanthropy's ability to create transformational social change. It draws from peer-reviewed literature and practitioner insights in interdisciplinary frameworks. This study examines barriers across three different levels: individual, organizational, and systemic.

On the individual level, …

Mapping Reputational Shifts: Lessons From U.S. Professional Sports Communities During The Black Lives Matter Social Crisis, Dean Austin Hess Iii

Theses and Dissertations

From 2013 through 2024, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) social crisis had profound impacts on major U.S. professional sports communities. Prior crisis research has concentrated on the BLM-related player protests in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the National Football League (NFL) over momentary periods of upheaval. Based on a review of crisis response and communication literature and its application to sports, this research offers a previously missing longitudinal account of how major professional sports communities (i.e., NBA, NFL, MLB, MLS, NHL, and NASCAR) responded to the BLM social crisis. It aims to offer a better understanding of community group …

Psychopathology, Symptomology, And Treatment In Offspring Of Holocaust Survivors: An Integrative Systematic Review, Lauren Grace Escobar

Theses and Dissertations

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the symptomatology, psychopathology, and treatment of offspring of Holocaust survivors (OHS). A comprehensive search was conducted in PsycINFO, PILOTS/PTSD, and Scopus for studies published between 1990 and 2024. Inclusion criteria required peer-reviewed studies, reports, books, literature reviews, and meta-analyses written or translated into English that reported on symptomatology and treatment for OHS. From an initial yield of 2,532 articles, 119 studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings suggest that OHS demonstrate significantly higher levels of symptomatology and psychopathology reported in nine clinical classifications. Psychodynamic treatment was the most commonly found treatment modality for OHS, …

Achieving Vibrant A Cappella Worship: A Descriptive Study Of Key Takeaways Of Worship Leaders Graduating From The Worship Leader Institute, Christopher Armstead

Theses and Dissertations

Worship Leader Institute (WLI) is a week-long intensive training program for a cappella worship leaders in Churches of Christ, emphasizing holistic worship leading and planning. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore the concepts, practices, and relationships WLI graduates found most valuable and effective for enhancing vitality of a cappella worship at their churches. Theoretical frameworks were experiential learning theory and communities of practice. The four primary research questions were (a) What concepts learned during WLI did recent graduates describe as most valuable and why? (b) Which practices from the WLI have been implemented by recent graduates, …

The Efficacy Of Trauma-Informed Treatment For Undocumented Latinx Immigrants With Manifestation Of Trauma Symptoms: A Systematic Review, Daniel Lopez

Theses and Dissertations

This systematic review provides a narrative synthesis of the trauma symptom manifestation in the undocumented Latinx immigrant population, how acculturation impacts trauma symptom manifestation, and what interventions have been shown to be effective in treating trauma symptoms with this population. Using specific search terms, the PsycINFO and Scopus databases were searched. After a review of the full-text, a total of 26 articles met the inclusion criteria. Results indicated that undocumented Latinx immigrants present with trauma symptoms associated with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnostic criteria for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), somatic symptoms, and symptoms associated with …

Understanding The Mentorship Experiences Of Underrepresented Minority Stem Leaders, Elias Saade

Theses and Dissertations

There is a growing need to diversify the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) workforce to better address complex societal challenges and drive innovation. However, persistent disparities limit the retention and advancement of underrepresented minorities (URMs) as leaders in STEM. Mentorship has emerged as a promising practice to address these challenges, yet a gap in the literature remains regarding the impact mentorship had on URM STEM leaders’ personal and professional development. This study responds to that gap by exploring the lived experiences of URM STEM leaders and their perceptions of how mentorship shaped their career development, psychosocial growth, and identity …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Autistic Youth Mental Health, Chase Keyler

Theses and Dissertations

This systematic literature review explores the experiences of autistic youth during the COVID-19 pandemic and their ongoing adjustment in a post-pandemic world. It focuses on three primary concerns: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ASD youth’s mental health, the factors influencing their adjustment during and after lockdown, and post-pandemic recommendations for clinicians and stakeholders. A comprehensive electronic literature search was conducted across six databases within the EBSCOhost platform. Study selection consisted of three phases: an initial screening (title and keywords), a partial review (title, keywords, and abstract), and a full- text analysis. The results of this systematic review indicate …

Generalized Reference Targeting For Spacecraft, David Geller, David Woffinden, Collin York

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

For spaceflight programs to achieve some of the aggressive exploration initiatives such as visiting and landing on other celestial bodies, rendezvousing with other orbiting vehicles, and ultimately returning crew safely to Earth, an assortment of targeting algorithms to compute the necessary burns to strategically maneuver a spacecraft to a variety of destinations are required. Numerous examples exist, but rather than creating and implementing multiple targeting solutions, is it possible to have a general targeting model that can accommodate a variety of applications? Originally motivated for mission design and analysis purposes, this paper outlines a generalized reference targeting algorithm for spaceflight …

A New Dawn Of Joy: How Joy Is Cultivated Among Black Transgender And Nonbinary Young Adults In Florida, Courtney Marciá Gardner

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The state of Florida had a record-breaking number of implemented and proposed policies between 2023-2024 that impacted transgender and nonbinary individuals. Black transgender and nonbinary people are particularly impacted by these policies due to the compounded effects of their race and gender identity. Nonetheless, despite the growing literature on Black transgender and nonbinary individuals, a lack of research exists examining positive aspects of intersectional experiences among Black transgender and nonbinary individuals. This qualitative study shifts away from deficit centered frameworks by investigating how Black transgender and nonbinary young adults in Florida cultivate joy in their lives. This study uses a …

Food Insecurity Among University Students And The Barriers To Utilizing Food Assistance Programs During And After Hurricanes Ian And Nicole, Carvis C. Durr

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Background and objectives: Food insecurity (FI) is a pressing concern among university students in the United States. Natural disasters such as hurricanes can exacerbate this issue, particularly for low-income individuals, including university students. Although a range of campus, community, and federal food assistance programs (FAPs) are available, students often face barriers to accessing these resources. However, limited research has explored FI among university students in the context of hurricanes, particularly how students utilize FAPs and the challenges they encounter in accessing them. This dissertation aims to (1) understand the prevalence of FI among students, especially socially vulnerable groups at the …

Hetero-Cisgender Rituals: The Oppression Of Sexual- And Gender-Minoritized People, Bertha A. Ben Khallouq

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Among the groups that experience health inequalities in the United States, sexual- and gender-minoritized people figure prominently. Medical practitioners are tasked with alleviating these health inequalities, and it has been suggested that through the education of new physicians, we can decrease these inequalities. This perspective, however, neglects that medical students are social actors and their socialization begins long before medical school. In the present study, I develop a framework for understanding hetero-cisgender rituals that medical students experience and participate in before starting their medical training. I answer three research questions: (1) To what extent do medical students witness hetero-cisgender rituals? …

The Sociological Engagement In John Coltrane's A Love Supreme: Examining The Impacts Of Race, Music, And Culture In Video-Based Learning Amongst College Students, Kinyel K. Ragland Sr.

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This project consists primarily of the interest in Video Based Learning (VBL) and understanding the impacts of a video based on the connections between John Coltrane’s song Acknowledgement on the Jazz suite A Love Supreme to the Civil Rights movement and systemic racism. Research confirms that VBL has an impact on student learning, yet this project finds that because of the content of the video, it fits into scholarship where there are gaps. The methodological approach, which was qualitative, found that students were overall enlightened, entertained, and were interested in learning more. Other findings include suggestions and recommendations for future …

Queer And Thriving: Community As Resilience In An Anti-Lgbtq State, Lauren Aitken

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people are subject to unique, chronic, and socially based stressors known as minority stressors. Community can be an important resource for LGBTQ people which can help mitigate the harmful effects of minority stressors. This study sought to understand how minority stressors, such as institutionalized forms of prejudice, discrimination, and violence, affect LGBTQ people in Central Florida and how community connectedness can be used as a resource to mitigate those effects. This study used Central Florida as a research site because of its large LGBTQ population within a state where anti-LGBTQ laws are consistently …

Virulence Of Emerging Tick-Borne Pathogens, Borrelia Miyamotoi And Borrelia Mayonii, Dawn Cleveland

Theses and Dissertations

As climate change leads to global expansion of tick habitats, tick borne diseases are becoming more prevalent and widespread, and emerging tickborne pathogens Borrelia miyamotoi and Borrelia mayonii warrant increased study. Both B. miyamotoi and B. mayonii are vectored by the same tick species as B. burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, with B. miyamotoi causing a relapsing fever-like disease known as Borrelia miyamotoi disease (BMD), and B. mayonii causing a Lyme disease-like illness with atypical clinical presentations. This dissertation has two aims. The first aim encompasses B. miyamotoi infection and growth, isolation of clonal populations, and characterization of …

Autonomous Corrosion Detection In Steel Structures Using Different Non-Contact Techniques, Amrita Das

Theses and Dissertations

Metallic corrosion is an electrochemical process that can occur due to the formation of aqueous adlayers on the metal surface. It is often described as reverse metallurgy, as corrosion drives refined metals back to their lowest energy state, namely an oxidized, ore-like form. Environmental factors that promote corrosion include precipitation, high humidity, and chemical condensation, which can result from the hygroscopic nature of pollutants deposited on the surface. There is a significant impact of metallic corrosion on the U. S. economy including infrastructure, transportation, utilities, production, and manufacturing. The total direct cost of corrosion in the United States has been …

Get In The Zone: Utilizing A Food Skills Survey To Assess The Education Needs Of A Blue Zones Project Community, Sophia Kathryn Dunlap

Theses and Dissertations

Under-resourced communities often demonstrate little to basic knowledge and skills regarding food and nutrition-related practices, such as cooking and meal planning, nutrition label reading, and gardening. This can be attributed to various factors such as education level, socioeconomic status, available education programs, and overall interest in these topics. Limited research is available discussing the current knowledge, skills, and interests of nutrition topics and healthy eating patterns within Blue Zones Project (BZP) communities. To explore this gap in the literature, a cross-sectional design was implemented via a food skills survey completed by the residents of a modest-sized college town and site …

Learning To Teach Digital Literacy: Faculty As Learners, Nicole Marie Maier Derenne

Theses and Dissertations

Rapid developments in artificial intelligence technologies and widening digital divide inequities have made digital literacy instruction an urgent priority in higher education. This qualitative, interpretive case study examined how faculty learned to teach Digital Information Literacy at an instructional development workshop facilitated by academic librarians, following a mandate to integrate digital literacy into the institution’s general education program. Using transformative learning theory as a framework, data were collected from a purposive sample of faculty, librarians, and administrators involvedin the workshop through field notes, interviews, a focus group, document reviews, and journaling, and then hermeneutically analyzed. Findings revealed that although demonstrations …

Analysis Of Job Satisfaction Factors Influencing Pilot Retention In The United States Coast Guard, Margaret Morgan

Theses and Dissertations

United States Coast Guard (USCG) aviation is facing increasing challenges in pilot retention. A survey was designed to explore job satisfaction constructs and pilots’ intention to separate from the USCG to determine how gender, airframe, and retirement plan influence retention. The survey was distributed to Active Duty USCG pilots with 183 valid responses. Statistical analysis for job satisfaction found that female pilots are less satisfied with work-life balance. Differences between gender were not significant for the other job satisfaction constructs or intention to separate from the USCG. The analysis found that fixed wing pilots have a higher intention to separate …

Seismic Design And Ductility Evaluation Of Concrete-Filled Thin-Walled Steel Tubular Columns Modeling As Bridge Piers, Njiru Mwaura

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate numerical modeling is essential for evaluating the seismic performance and load-bearing behavior of partially concrete-filled thin-walled steel tubular columns, particularly those used as bridge piers under complex seismic conditions. This study investigates the performance of such columns enhanced with embedded energy-dissipating shell plates and/or partial concrete infill, subjected to unidirectional and bidirectional seismic loading. A validated finite element model (FEM), developed in ABAQUS and incorporating geometric and material nonlinearities—including the modified Two-Surface Model (2SM)—was employed to simulate cyclic behavior and predict structural response.The model was benchmarked against experimental results and used to analyze a broad range of parameters, including …

Investigation Of Surfactant-Enhanced Oil Recovery In High Salinity And High Temperature (Hsht) Reservoir Conditions: A Case Study In The Bakken Formation, Tomiwa Isaac Oguntade

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates improved strategies for enhancing oil recovery (EOR) in challenging reservoir conditions by combining chemical surfactant flooding and data-driven optimization techniques. Given rising global energy demand and the depletion of conventional oil reserves, chemical EOR methods, particularly surfactant flooding, are gaining popularity for their ability to mobilize residual oil via mechanisms such as reducing interfacial tension, altering wettability, and inhibiting asphaltene formation. The research begins by examining the effectiveness of surfactant applications across various reservoir conditions, emphasizing the need for surfactants capable of withstanding challenging environments characterized by high temperatures, high salinity, and low permeability. Laboratory experiments demonstrated …

Teacher Skills Needed For Effective Participation In Multi-Tiered Systems Of Support (Mtss): A State Framework Analysis, Melissa Osborne

Theses and Dissertations

This study is a secondary data analysis that uses a validated rubric to score the degree of alignment between the teacher skills (TS) necessary for the effective implementation of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) and the preservice teacher training standards (PTS) across five states located in the North Central United States. This investigation also assessed whether states employing an MTSS process to establish special education eligibility for specific learning disabilities (SLD) exhibit higher alignment between TS and PTS compared to states that do not follow that process. Literature outlines the TS needed in an MTSS framework, but there is limited …

High-Fidelity Surface And Environment Simulation Using Immersive Virtual Reality For Lunar Analog Training, Shriya Pedaparthi

Theses and Dissertations

The study explores the integration of high-fidelity Virtual Reality (VR) into astronaut training for lunar analog missions. A realistic VR simulation was developed to represent lunar terrain, allowing participants to perform critical tasks under simulated lunar conditions. Specifically, participants navigated from a compromised lunar habitat (ILMAH) facing a pressure breach, to a secure facility, testing their ability to respond effectively to emergency scenarios. Participants underwent three sequential trials to assess how VR and physical constraints influence gait and performance: (1) a baseline trial measuring natural gait without equipment; (2) a trial incorporating a real spacesuit and lunar gravity simulated through …

Nutrition Implications In Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (Heds)/Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder (Hsd), Lauren Steiner

Theses and Dissertations

Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (hEDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders (HSD) are a poorly recognized and under researched group of genetic connective tissue disorders that have widespread impacts on the human body, including gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. The role of dietary and supplemental interventions in GI symptom control in this patient population has not been researched. This study used an exploratory survey to collect data on diets and supplements that the patient population has used to combat GI symptoms. The low histamine, gluten free, dairy free, anti-inflammatory, and intermittent fasting diets, as well as magnesium, probiotic, coenzyme Q10, vitamin C, vitamin B12, and …

Negotiating Gender: A Qualitative Analysis Of Trans-Parasocial Relationships With Gen Z Social Media Users, Hannah Grace Scheffer-Wentz

Theses and Dissertations

The growth of social media and its functions as an online, international forum has been a growing topic of interest for researchers and the public alike. With the rise of native influencing and the incorporation of “organic” advertising, Social Media Influencers have grown in not just following and publicity with affiliate marketing and brand partnerships, but they have grown in social interest, as well. With the rise in technology and the introduction of Gen Z, who are digital natives, this has challenged previous understanding of online relationships, specifically with the expansion of Parasocial Relationship Theory to the online application of …

The Relationship Between Social Determinants Of Health And Maternal Risk Factors With Severe Maternal Morbidity, Rebecca Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) remains a significant public health concern in the United States, with rates rising despite advancements in obstetric care. While extensive research has examined the role of clinical risk factors in SMM, less attention has been given to the influence of social determinants of health (SDOH). Factors such as financial insecurity, food access, housing stability, intimate partner violence, social connectedness, and transportation barriers may contribute to maternal health disparities. This study aims to assess the relationship between SDOH and SMM, evaluating how these non-clinical factors shape maternal health outcomes. Additionally, this research explores the impact of maternal …

Investigating Antimicrobial Efficacy Of Turmeric And Rosemary Oil Against Staphylococcus Aureus, Aishwarya Tripathi

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

This study investigates the antimicrobial efficacy of turmeric (Curcuma longa) and rosemary essential oil (Rosmarinus officinalis) against Streptococcus aureus, with a comparative analysis to phenoxyethanol, a widely used synthetic preservative. The growing consumer demand for natural cosmetic formulations have intensified the search for plant-derived alternatives to synthetic preservatives. Turmeric and rosemary oil were selected based on their documented antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this research was to evaluate whether these natural agents can serve as effective preservatives in topical gel formulations, either individually or in combination, and how their efficacy compares to phenoxyethanol.

Eight gel-based formulations were …

Critical Appraisal Of Language Assessment Tasks For African American Children, Tamara Diana Jacobs

Selected Full-Text Master Theses 2021-

Language assessment is a fundamental aspect of the speech-language therapist's role. However, a critical examination of standardized assessments reveals their historical association with constructing disability and exerting control over individuals with a disability, often rooted in the medical model of disability (Nair et al., 2023). As a result, there has been a growing interest in developing alternative methods for evaluating language and speech, particularly in diverse populations (Hyter, 2022). This interest has extended to the study of assessment methods within urban communities, including African American English (AAE) speakers.

Language assessment is a fundamental aspect of the speech-language therapist's role. However, …