A Comparative Study On The Accuracy And Reliability Of Artificial Intelligent Lateral Cephalogram Tracing Programs, Stuart Mills

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Objective: To compare the accuracy and reliability of two commercially available Artificial Intelligent (AI) cephalogram tracing software programs to doctor traced cephalograms.

Materials and Methods: A sample of 100 pretreatment cephalograms were analyzed with AI based software programs, Angel Aligner iCeph and WebCeph, then compared to images traced by an orthodontist using Dolphin Imaging. Of the 100 samples, 50 were skeletally Class I and 50 were skeletally Class II. For each cephalogram produced, the American Board of Orthodontics 11 measurements were acquired from each of the three tracing programs. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s HSD test …

Not Everyone Believes Sports Are A Safe Space: Development Of A Toxic Sports Fandom Scale, Thomas Dean Bobbitt

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Dysfunctional Fan Behavior is a concept developed by Wakefield & Wann (2006), that describes fan conduct, consisting of complaining and confrontation, that ruins the experience of sporting events for others. However, there is some evidence that although the items featured in the Dysfunctional Fan Behavior Scale are perceived as negative, they are also viewed as relatively normal and appropriate of sports fans. Bobbitt et al.’s (in press) qualitative analysis suggests that these behaviors are not always considered destructive or toxic in the context of sport, but the line between benignly rude and genuinely antisocial behavior is somewhat difficult to define. …

Quantifying Subsurface Pavement Temperatures Subject To Future Climates And Implications For Pavement Resilience, Austin Michael Jarrell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Assessment of anthropogenic climate change impacts in pavement design and analysis remains limited within engineering practice, despite growing recognition of the need for climate-resilient roadway infrastructure. Research efforts have increasingly focused on integrating future climate projections into mechanistic-empirical pavement design, which represents the leading edge of the state of practice. However, a lack of consensus persists regarding the optimal methods for incorporating climate projections, particularly in the selection of downscaling techniques and global climate models (GCMs) to ensure accuracy and applicability for pavement performance analysis. This research investigates the impact of statistical downscaling methodologies and GCM selection routines on subsurface …

Microwave-Assisted Reduction Of Critical Metal Oxides From E-Waste Mixture, Kurundu Shavinka Jayasekera

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The efficient recovery of critical metals such as tantalum (Ta), manganese (Mn), gallium (Ga), and indium (In) from electronic waste (e-waste) is essential for resource sustainability and environmental protection. This research uses microwave-assisted treatment to investigate the carbothermal reduction of these four specific metals from their oxides in a simulated e-waste mixture, with carbon black serving as both a microwave coupling and reduction agent. Microwave processing is used specifically because it offers a rapid and energy-efficient alternative to conventional thermal methods, with the benefits of intrinsic heating and selective heating of materials. The first experiments centered on understanding the effects …

No Sweeter Sound: Musicking, Transformative Pedagogy, And Collaborative Social Justice In Choral Settings, Natalie N. Shaffer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Choral music and its conductors occupy a tenuous space in the 21st century. In a new cultural atmosphere influenced by Gen Z’s expectation of welcomed diversity and intolerance for injustice, TikTok’s rapid global dissemination of information and entertainment, and society’s desire for authentic connection following the Covid-19 pandemic, the dichotomies present in choral music are no longer being glossed over. Difficult conversations about race, gender, ableism, social location, and other intersectional identifiers are at the forefront of academic writing and conference presentations. Evidence of transformative pedagogy and culturally responsive practices are beginning to appear in classroom syllabi and rehearsal techniques …

Augmentation And Hybridization Of Conventional Forms Of Process Control With Advanced Control Methods, Daniel Paul Beahr

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Within the last decade in the field of process control, there has developed a distinct gap between the technological advancements of today and the well-established theory that has preceded it. This is most evident where the novel developments and structures often outpace the necessary guarantees and strong foundation required to ensure the possibility of widespread adoption. Therefore, the goals of this work are to broadly integrate those novel advanced control methods into the field of process control in such a way to increase the applicability and encourage implementation.

The first portion of this work seeks to further explore the nature …

Back To The Future Self: Parsing Age Effects In Future Self-Continuity Through Goal Orientation And Life Satisfaction, Laken A. Mooney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Future self-continuity, the psychological feeling of connectedness between the current and the future self, is a relatively novel concept that is associated with and has been used to predict a variety of outcomes. Though work investigating individual differences is comparatively rare, a robust demographic difference found in previous literature is the presence of an age effect, where older adults are more likely to feel a greater connection to their future self than younger adults. This finding has been replicated a number of times, but potential mechanisms behind this observed age-related increase have yet to be fully uncovered. Limited previous work …

Chopin’S Innovation And Influence On The French Piano School: From His Predecessors To His Principal Students And Successors, Wenjun Xia

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Chopin’s Innovation and Influence on the French Piano School: From his Predecessors to his Principal Students and Successors

Wenjun Xia

This research explores Frédéric Chopin's (1810–1849) innovations in piano technique, pedagogy, composition, and interpretation, as well as Chopin’s subsequent influence on the French piano school. Before Chopin’s arrival in Paris, the French piano school was primarily influenced by Louis Adam (1758–1848) and Friedrich Kalkbrenner (1785–1849), whose approaches dominated piano pedagogy at the Paris Conservatoire. Early French piano pedagogy centered on finger precision, virtuosity, and clarity, but expressivity was somewhat limited. Chopin initiated Romantic trends that emphasized emotion and natural physical …

The Abuse Liability Of Oral Nicotine Pouches In Electronic Cigarette Users, Jakob D. Bohland

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Oral nicotine pouches (ONPs) are products containing synthetic or tobacco derived nicotine in a cellulose pouch. While relatively novel in their current state, ONPs are increasing in popularity, with little known about their national level prevalence. Extant work has suggested that electronic cigarette (e-cig) users may be interested in ONPs; however, no abuse liability studies have been conducted comparing ONPs directly to e-cigs. In the few abuse liability studies that have been conducted, ONPs have been evaluated in comparison to combustible cigarettes or smokeless tobacco (SLT). These studies suggest ONPs may be less reinforcing than combustible cigarettes or SLT. Therefore, …

Commissioning And Recording Project Of New Works For Saxophone Focused On Promoting Mexican Composers And Educating Future Commissioning Saxophonists, Andres Efrain Santana

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This document chronicles my process of commissioning and recording five new works by Mexican composers. To contextualize this experience, I provide a brief introduction of Mexican contemporary music history, an overview of second-hand accounts of the commissioning process, my personal experience of this process, and my assessment of the impact these works could have on the classical saxophone repertoire. As I have reflected on my own experience with historical and contemporary accounts of the commissioning process, it has become clear that personal connections between composers and performers and the patronage or funding linked to those relationships are just as important …

Membrane Reactor Modeling And Optimization For Hydrogen Production, Ayooluwa Tomiwa Akintola

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

There has been an ongoing trend toward cleaner fuels for more environmentally benign forms of energy generation. Recently, hydrogen has been identified as a clean fuel for energy generation. However, the most established, efficient, and widely utilized technique for producing hydrogen remains the steam methane reforming (SMR) in the presence of catalyst. Unlike other fossil fuels, utilizing methane from natural gas in an SMR process to produce hydrogen emits less, but yet a notable sum of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, the endothermic nature of SMR reactions imply that there is a high energy requirement to obtain a substantial amount of hydrogen …

Development Of Fast And Comprehensive Approaches For Gunshot Residue Interpretation Using Ambient Ionization, Mass Spectrometry, And Microparticle Sampling Studies, Thomas Dimmey Ledergerber

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The information derived from the forensic examination of gunshot residue (GSR) can be critical during the investigative and trial stages in the criminal justice system. However, the complexity of the GSR deposition, transfer, and persistence mechanisms calls for meticulous handling and identification processes. Novel advances in evidence interpretation and analysis via instrumental methods are current areas of growing interest that must be pushed along the chain from research to practice in a timely manner. Therefore, this research focuses on developing both rapid and comprehensive methods for detecting gunshot residue evidence and effectively communicating its significance to the investigators or trier …

Xanthine Oxidoreductase, Uric Acid, And Iron Homeostasis: Discovering A Therapeutic Vulnerability In Breast Cancer, Matthew G. Chapa

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the leading cause of cancer related deaths in women. This is primarily due to distant metastases, which highlight the necessity to understand factors that contribute to breast cancer progression. Emerging evidence associates decreased tumor xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) expression with a poorer prognosis, increased recurrence, and a more aggressive phenotype. While healthy liver, intestines, kidneys, and breast tissue have robust XOR expression and activity, there is a tendency for this to be ablated in carcinogenesis. This dissertation investigates XOR's role in breast cancer and identifies its product, uric acid (UA), as possessing …

Extending Effects Of The Good Behavior Game With Mixed Schedules, Amina Boukhris

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Student disruptive behavior in the classroom can adversely affect both students and teachers. The Good Behavior Game (GBG) is a well-established classroom management strategy used to reduce disruption. However, its use remains limited due to implementation barriers reported by teachers, such as effort associated with delivering feedback, and the limited generalization of the GBG effects to times when the game is not in place. The current study had two main objectives: (a) to evaluate whether a modified version of the GBG implemented on a mixed-schedule-like arrangement (MIX GBG) could reduce student disruption as effectively as the standard version (MULT GBG), …

Three Chapters In International Macroeconomics: Navigating Risk, Development, And Policy With Emphasis On Low-Income Economies, Samantha Alexandre Borkhoche

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation explores how structural vulnerabilities and external shocks interact with economic policy tools in shaping development outcome. Each chapter addresses a distinct dimension of risk—environmental, macroeconomic, and political—and evaluates mechanisms through which these challenges can be mitigated or amplified. The focus on low-income economies ensures their unique vulnerabilities are integrated into the research question, addressing critical gaps in economic literature.

Chapter 1 addresses how the Sub-Saharan African regions can balance sustainability and development. It uses a time-series methodology to estimate the impact of trade in “green goods” on environmental outcomes. It finds that increases in the trade of environmentally-friendly …

Adolescent Attachment And Anxiety: Examining Implicit Emotion Beliefs And Emotion Regulation As Mediators, Jeanette Pool

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Anxiety is a growing issue in adolescents, with teens reporting worse and more severe symptoms in recent years (Kajastus et al., 2023; Solmi et al., 2022). There are several risk factors for developing anxiety symptoms, including cognitive, behavioral, and social factors. Effective emotion regulation (ER) has been shown to be helpful in decreasing anxiety symptom levels (Arbulu et al., 2023; Cho et al., 2019). A better understanding of precursors of ER could aid in prevention of anxiety. ER may stem from our personal beliefs about emotions (Ford et al., 2018; Schroder et al., 2015; Tamir et al., 2007) and to …

A Quality Improvement Project To Assess The Impact Of A Patient Acuity Tool On Nurse Satisfaction In Equitable Patient Assignments In Nurse Workload And Perceived Quality Care Provided, Claire Alexandra Rodgers

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Traditional nursing staffing models used to create patient-care assignments do not account for patient acuity. As patient acuity increases, nurse workload increases. When patient-care assignments do not account for acuity, nurses are unable to provide quality care to patients. Utilizing a patient acuity tool (PAT) has been shown to improve nurse satisfaction and equity in assignments while also enhancing the ability for nurses to provide quality care.

Purpose: The project aims to assess the impact of a PAT to improve nurse satisfaction in equitable patient assignments based on nurse workload and perception of quality of care provided to patients …

Identifying Factors Associated With Time To Diagnosis For Symptomatic Intestinal Malrotation In Pediatric Patients, Katie E. Corcoran

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Intestinal malrotation is a rare condition in which the intestines rotate improperly during embryonic development. Intestinal malrotation is typically diagnosed in pediatric patients with an upper gastrointestinal imaging (UGI) series. Longer time to diagnosis of intestinal malrotation increases the risk of mortality and severe morbidity. While the need for timely diagnosis is well-established in the literature, the correlates of time to diagnosis are largely unknown. The classic medical presentation for intestinal malrotation is an infant presenting with green bilious emesis. I hypothesize that time to diagnosis of intestinal malrotation will be longer in symptomatic pediatric patients when they present differently …

La2nio4+Δ-Based Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (Soecs) Electrodes Enhanced With Complex Perovskite Nanocatalyst Processed By Surfactant-Enabled Infiltration, Cole Samuel Klemstine

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As the world seeks to reduce its reliance on hydrocarbons, the demand for sustainable hydrogen production methods has become increasingly critical. Hydrogen is a versatile energy carrier that can be produced from various sources, including water, natural gas, and biomass. Replacing the burning of hydrocarbons with hydrogen could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global climate goals like those set by the US H2NEW program. The joint technologies of solid oxide fuel and electrolysis cells present the ability to both produce and process clean hydrogen to meet these goals. Development into solid oxide fuel cells has been met with …

Implementation Of An Evidenced Based Enteral Nutrition Protocol For Mechanically Ventilated Patients: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Hannah R. Nuzum

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Implementation of an Evidenced Based Enteral Nutrition Protocol for Mechanically Ventilated Patients: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

Hannah Nuzum

Background: Mechanically ventilated patients require supplemental nutrition as an important factor for their overall recovery. Malnutrition in hospitalized patients is reported as high as 35% (Ikram et al., 2022).

Purpose: Lack of an enteral nutrition (EN) protocol has contributed to variability in initiation of EN for post-intubated mechanically ventilated patients.

Intervention: The project interventions are threefold: the development of an EN protocol, EN initiated within 24 to 28 hours for post-intubation patients, and staff understands that EN should be initiated within …

Effects Of Physical Activity And Purpose In Life In Cognitive Aging, Farima Sadeghi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cognitive decline has become a growing public health concern with the increase in aging populations throughout the world. As Physical Activity has shown to be one of the key factors in maintaining and enhancing cognitive health in older adults, this study explores the psychological mechanisms that might underlie this relationship. Using data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) study, the analyses examine whether Purpose in Life mediates the relationship between Physical Activity and both cognitive abilities—Episodic Memory and Executive Functioning, whether age strengthens this effect, and whether Physical Activity itself could act as a mediator. The results showed …

Beyond The Byproduct: Exploring Approaches For The Sustainable Valorization Of Underutilized Food Streams, Ian Phillip Israelsen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Commercial food processing creates side-streams that are often underutilized yet hold significant potential for valorization into value-added products for consumer use. This study investigated and compared potential protein recovery and lipid removal potential from buckwheat (BW; Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), brewer’s spent grain (BSG), and coffee silverskin (CSS) using a one-step solvent defatting and a pH-shift protein extraction method. The extraction efficiency yields of extracted protein from CSS were significantly lower than all other samples (p < 0.05). The defatted BW had the highest extracted protein content of all samples (p < 0.05). The sizes of the proteins in the starting materials were observed using LDS-PAGE. These sizes were consistent with published values and were mostly unchanged by defatting or the pH-shift process. The presence of 13S globulins and 2S albumins was confirmed under reducing conditions. Protein extracted from all native samples had lower total free essential amino acids than the starting materials. Native CSS and extracted protein followed this trend, but in defatted CSS and respective extracted protein samples, the extracted proteins had higher free essential amino acid content than the starting materials, sometimes of twofold or greater (p < 0.05). After defatting, the percentage of lipids recovered compared to the original lipid content of the samples was measured. The crude fat content of native and hexane-defatted BW flour was higher than BW flour defatted with ethanol (p < 0.05). The lipid extraction efficiency of all samples ranged from 4.6 ± 1.26%–43.20 ± 14.21%. The mass of the native and defatted starting materials were recorded at each step of processing, with reasonable losses assessed. The major non-polar lipid classes in each starting material were separated using thin-layer chromatography. All samples also displayed the presence of polar lipids. When comparing starting materials, BW and BSG was the most effective for protein extraction, and BSG has the most promise for lipid removal and potential for upcycling. All the examined starting materials show promise for use in food supplementation, especially as native flours. These products are plentiful and considered underutilized or side-stream products.

Do Dung Beetles Sink Or Swim: Exploring Dung Beetle Response To Precipitation, Lauren T. Cheshire

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Global climate change constitutes a major threat to biodiversity and ecosystem services of many taxa. The Mid-Atlantic region of the US is expecting to see an increase in extreme precipitation events and flooding. Dung beetles (Scarabaeinae) can tunnel below the soil surface allowing for water to dissipate into the soil rather than sit on the surface and add to flooding conditions. They also can decrease methane emission by burying dung and reduce outbreaks of pests that prefer the moist environment of dung. They contribute roughly $380 million in ecosystem services annually in the United States, yet their services may be …

Role Of Interpretation Bias Related To Pain In A Dental Setting, Jeongwi An

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Studies of interpretation bias related to pain have consistently shown that patients with pain are more likely to interpret ambiguous stimuli as related to pain than healthy control participants. This phenomenon is associated with pain and related outcomes, including depression, anxiety, and avoidance behaviors, suggesting a potential target in pain management. This study aimed to examine whether the association between interpretation bias, pain, and emotional status can be replicated in a dental care population. The relation of interpretation bias to pain experience was tested in a naturalistic anxiety and pain-provoking setting (i.e., root canal treatment, RCT). A total of 82 …

Resilience In Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes: The Relation Between Grit, Benefit-Finding, Diabetes Distress, Hba1c And Health-Related Quality Of Life, Hannah Hardiman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a common pediatric chronic illness that requires complicated management by both the child and their caregiver. Research and clinical guidelines have highlighted adherence (as measured by HbA1c) and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) as important outcomes particularly in adolescents with T1D. Notably, diabetes distress has been identified as a risk factor contributing to poor adherence and HRQOL outcomes in this population. Given these considerations, understanding what resilience factors contribute to optimal outcomes is vitally important to inform future interventions. Grit and benefit-finding are two novel resilience factors that have yet to be fully evaluated …

Keep It Quiet: A Quality Improvement Initiative To Reduce Noise In The Operating Room During Anesthesia Induction, Ghislaine Fasseu Kameni

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Problem: Excessive noise during the critical phase of anesthesia induction in operating rooms (OR) can significantly impact anesthesia providers' ability to focus, potentially compromising patient safety and quality of care.

Objectives: This project aimed to reduce anesthesia providers' perception of distraction caused by noise during induction by implementing educational interventions and visual cues. The objectives included educating anesthesia and surgical staff on the impact of noise, introducing visual reminders to minimize distractions, and evaluating the effectiveness of these strategies through survey data collection.

Methods: A quality improvement initiative was conducted in the OR department of a nearby hospital. Certified registered …

Developing Consensus-Based Methods For The Examination And Interpretation Of Contemporary Vehicle, Architectural, And Portable Electronic Device Glasses By Micro-X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry, Zachary Bailey Andrews

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Glass is a trace material that is commonly encountered during investigations of violent crimes. When glass is recovered at crime scenes, it can be used to establish links between suspects, victims, and the scene itself. The most discriminatory form of analysis for glass evidence is elemental analysis, and micro-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (µXRF) is becoming an increasingly common technique used for this purpose. Recent advances in µXRF technology, such as the introduction of silicon drift detectors (SDD) and improved polycapillary optics are promising in enhancing the capabilities for the examination of glass evidence in forensic investigations. However, along with these advances …

Increasing Preparedness For Malignant Hyperthermia Crises: An Evidence Based Quality Improvement Project, Elise Jozwiak

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction/Background: MH is a low frequency, but high risk potentially fatal genetic mutation if left untreated. A rural Pennsylvania Hospital was found to have an incidence rate of 12/4,033 MH related occurrences within the last 6 months. Delayed treatment of MH can result in increased mortality rates and poor patient outcomes.

Purpose: Given the rarity and high mortality rate without prompt treatment, implementation of a standardized cognitive aid to be kept on the Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) cart, coupled with operating room staff education on early recognition and treatment of malignant hyperthermia can assist in proper perioperative MH management steps for …

Does Education On Aseptic Non-Touch Technique Affect Nurse Knowledge On Aseptic Technique When Placing Ultrasound Guided Peripheral Intravenous Lines? A Quality Improvement Initiative, Hannah G. Keyser

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project attempted to increase nurse’s knowledge of aseptic technique when placing USG-PIVs in hospitalized adult patients after educational training on the Aseptic Non-Touch Technique Clinical Practice Framework (ANTT CPF). Implementation of the ANTT CPF in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (CVICU) at Ruby Memorial Hospital, as a didactic educational session for nurses already trained to place ultrasound-guided peripheral intravenous lines, was utilized for this DNP project. Pre- and post-surveys were employed to determine changes in knowledge scores as well as feelings of comfort and knowledge related to the CPF. Results remained stable for survey …

Nephrocheck Implementation And Its Impact On The Incidence Of Acute Kidney Injury After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery, Michael Maccourtney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

NephroCheck Implementation and its Impact on the Incidence of Acute Kidney Injury After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Michael C. MacCourtney

Problem Statement: Acute kidney injury occurs in up to 50% of patients after cardiac surgery (Meersche et al., 2017). This contributes to significant morbidity, mortality, and costs (Helgadottir et al., 2016). At the time of the project implementation, the standard of care involved measuring renal function utilizing serum creatinine (SCr) and urine output (UOP) without NephroCheck. These renal function labs do not represent a timely and accurate assessment of the patient’s current renal status because they do not …