Digital Commons Network^™

Beyond English: Auditing And Mitigating Cross-Lingual Data Contamination In Multimodal Large Language Models, Pavan Dharma Adapa

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis extends data contamination auditing for multimodal large language models to multilingual settings. Using LLaVA 1.5 and a high-fidelity French parallel dataset derived from ScienceQA, the study evaluates how performance changes when identical image-question pairs are translated from English to French. The resultsshow a substantial cross-lingual performance decline and frequent flips from correct English predictions to incorrect French predictions, indicating that benchmark performance can depend heavily on memorized English-specific patterns rather than stable multimodal reasoning. To address this weakness, the thesis introduces an inference-time mitigation strategy based on perturbation ensembling and cross-lingual consistency aggregation. The proposed method reduces instance-level …

Improving Durability And Structural Integrity Of Southern Pine And Sweetgum Through Fabrication, Treatment, And Mechanical Testing., Ershad Ahmmed

Theses and Dissertations

This research integrates material modification, preservative performance, and engineered fabrication to enhance the long-term durability and structural reliability of southern pine and sweetgum for outdoor and structural applications. The first project investigates the effects of simulated checks and splits on the strength and stiffness of southern pine fence posts. By introducing controlled defects and conducting mechanical testing, the study quantifies reductions in load-carrying capacity and evaluates how defect severity influences structural performance. The results provide insight into service life prediction and grading considerations for in-ground applications. The second project evaluates water ingress behavior in creosote-treated sweetgum using wetting angle measurements …

Enhancing Professional Development Opportunities For Mississippi Early Childhood Education Technology Students, Sheri H. Anders

Theses and Dissertations

This capstone project examined professional development opportunities for early childhood students enrolled in Early Childhood Education Technology (ECET) programs in Mississippi. Grounded in Situated Learning Theory and aligned with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Professional Standards and Competencies, this study used a desk-based systematic literature review to examine how ECET students engage in professional development during preparation, how standards-aligned experiences support preparedness and professional identity development, and what barriers limit access to meaningful opportunities. Findings indicate that professional development during preparation is often informal and inconsistent; however, participation in professional communities such as conferences, coaching, …

Institutional Predictors Of Overall Retention And Graduation Rates For Black Male Students At Public Two-Year Colleges In The Southeastern United States, Jonathan Larry Armstrong

Theses and Dissertations

This quantitative, cross-sectional, non-experimental study examined institutional characteristics associated with retention and graduation outcomes at public two-year colleges in the Southeastern United States. Using data from the Fall 2023 Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the study analyzed institutional student–faculty ratio, core expenditures per full-time equivalent (FTE) student, and academic support expenditures per FTE as predictors of institutional full-time fall-to-fall retention rates for all students and 150% graduation rates for Black male students. Descriptive statistics indicated substantial variation across institutions in spending and student outcomes. Simple linear regression analyses revealed no statistically significant relationships between student–faculty ratio or core expenditures …

Community Development Professionals’ Perceptions Of Agritourism In Mississippi, Emma Jane Berry

Theses and Dissertations

Agritourism has emerged as a strategy for supporting rural economies, strengthening community identity, and increasing agricultural literacy. Although prior research has examined agritourism operators and visitors, limited attention has been given to the perceptions of community development professionals who influence local planning and program support. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory study was to examine community development professionals’ perceptions of agritourism’s role in community development, economic growth, and agricultural literacy in Mississippi. Guided by Social Exchange Theory, data were collected through two semi-structured virtual focus groups with 12 professionals representing Extension, tourism, economic development, and Main Street organizations. Data were …

Assessing Differences In The Frequency And Severity Of Osteoarthritis On The Mandibular Condyles Between Males And Females At Tell Abraq, Brittany C. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

Tell Abraq, a Bronze and Iron Age site in the United Arab Emirates, was a center of trade and cultural expansion during the Umm an-Nar period (2700–2100 BCE). Its multichambered tombs contain large, commingled burials, reflecting increasing sedentism and agricultural practices. This study examines mandibular osteoarthritis (OA) to explore lived experience and biomechanical stress. A total of 138 adult mandibles were analyzed for sex and OA severity. Results show generally mild and infrequent OA, though preservation limited analysis. Sex estimates suggested more gracile morphologies than previously identified. No strong sex-based differences in OA were observed. Overall, findings highlight the impact …

Characterization Of Water Quality In The Mississippi Sound Using In-Situ And Satellite Observations, William Elliott Butler

Theses and Dissertations

The Mississippi Sound is a highly productive estuary facing increasing pressures from natural disasters, oil spills, freshwater inflows, and coastal urbanization, yet it remains insufficiently monitored. In this study, key water quality parameters were quantified at 25 stations across the Mississippi Sound from 2024-2025 and integrated with Sentinel-3 satellite imagery retrievals to generate monthly turbidity maps from 2016-2025. Peak turbidity (~10 FNU) and TSS (~20 mg/L), reduced Secchi depth (~100 cm) and conductivity (~20,000 μS/cm), were observed from late winter to early summer; these conditions varied in fall and early spring. Colored dissolved organic matter was moderate, while chlorophyll-a and …

From Barriers To Opportunities: Adult Learner Decision Factors And An Implementation Plan For The Awarding Of Credit For Prior Learning, Kristi Leigh Dearing

Theses and Dissertations

With approximately 36 million adults in the nation having some college credit but no degree, these adult learners are the key to filling the gap in the workforce as more jobs will require postsecondary education by 2031 (Jeffe & Rollins, 2024; Carnevale et al., 2023). Adult learners returning to college after sometimes an extended absence encounter barriers that may impact the ability to enroll. Adult learners must balance financial, family, and work responsibilities while completing coursework. By awarding credit for prior learning through portfolio assessment, colleges and universities have an opportunity to recognize the value of the knowledge, experiences, and …

Regional Variability In Tornado Tracks: A Gis-Based Study Of Surface Roughness And Land Cover Differences Between The Lower Midwest And Southeast United States, Joshua Morgan Dison

Theses and Dissertations

Throughout the years, much research has been dedicated to the physical processes leading to tornadogenesis and tornado decay. Much of this research is centered around the inner workings of the supercell itself. Recent studies are now showing that tornadogenesis and decay processes may be generated by interactions with the Earth’s surface. This study examines longtrack tornadoes from 2001-2016 in the southeast and lower Midwest regions of the United States. Utilizing the National Land Cover Database (NLCD) and American Meteorological Society / Environmental Protection Agency / Regulatory Model (AERsurface) surface roughness values, efforts are made to see if statistical significance is …

Faculty Perceptions Of Transfer Students: How Characteristics And Experiences Inform Faculty Predispositions Toward Transfer Students In Senior Institutions, Tracey Ann Dubard

Theses and Dissertations

Faculty perceptions of student populations have been widely discussed, but the conversation has seldom focused on the transfer student population. Because a third of community college students choose to transfer into four-year institutions, the elements of the environment awaiting them are worthy of exploration. The classroom setting is a shared experience for transfer students. Therefore, faculty can play a significant role in creating a climate of support for this population. However, the opposite may be true. Transfer students often arrive on campus to find an environment that is mostly focused on traditional students. The lack of a supportive environment may …

Rethinking Social Disorganization In Rural America: Persistent Poverty, Institutional Fragility, And Crime, Addison Finch

Theses and Dissertations

Social Disorganization Theory (SDT) links structural disadvantage to crime through mechanisms such as residential instability, weakened social networks, and reduced informal social control in urban neighborhoods. Less is known about whether these mechanisms operate similarly in persistently poor rural communities where disadvantage is enduring rather than destabilizing. This study examines whether variation in poverty intensity predicts county-level crime in nonmetropolitan, persistently poor counties in Kentucky and Tennessee from 2016 to 2023. A balanced county-year panel (N = 344) integrates incident-based crime data with measures of poverty intensity and institutional capacity. Pooled ordinary least squares models with year fixed effects and …

The Role Of Risk And Resilience In Psychological Distress: An Application Of The Minority Stress Model, Rachel Clair Franklin

Theses and Dissertations

LGBT individuals experience disproportionate levels of psychological distress compared to heterosexual populations, often attributed to minority stressors, including experiences of discrimination and victimization. Guided by the Minority Stress Model, the present study examined whether social and community support moderated the relationship between minority stress and psychological distress, and whether rejection sensitivity and fear of discrimination mediated these associations. Data were collected from a sample of 251 individuals who self-identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender in the United States. Multiple regression, moderation, and mediation analyses using the PROCESS macro were conducted to examine relationships among experiences of discrimination, sexuality-based victimization, …

Investigating Teacher Cognition Of Teaching Spatial Thinking Among Middle And High School Stem Teachers: A Knowledge, Belief, And Attitude Perspective, Jonathan Grant Harris

Theses and Dissertations

Spatial thinking is a critical cognitive ability that supports learning and problem solving across science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Despite extensive research highlighting the importance of spatial thinking in STEM achievement and career success, limited research has examined STEM teachers’ cognition of spatial thinking or developed instruments to measure it. The purpose of this study was to investigate middle and high school STEM teachers’ cognition of spatial thinking, including their perceived pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) of spatial thinking, self-efficacy beliefs about teaching spatial thinking, and attitudes toward spatial thinking as a critical component of STEM learning and achievement. …

A Pedagogically Effective Conceptual Framework For The Resilience Of Unit Test Suites To Refactoring, Daniel Paul Knight

Theses and Dissertations

Unit test suites are intended to support safe and efficient source code refactoring, yet in practice they can hinder rather than help when tests are tightly coupled to implementation details. Such non-resilient tests require frequent co-evolution, consume valuable engineering time, and may disincentivize beneficial code improvements. While concepts such as passive and active resilience, test smells, and technical debt have been studied individually, they have not been integrated into a single actionable framework, nor has their pedagogical value been systematically evaluated. This dissertation introduces a novel conceptual framework for the resilience of unit test suites to refactoring, grounded in resilience …

Low-Dimensional Metal Halides For Light-Emitting Diodes (Leds): Photophysical Aspects And Device Engineering, Udara Madushanka Kuruppu Kuruppu Achchige Don

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, low-dimensional metal halides have garnered significant interest due to their exceptional optical properties. This dissertation focuses on the structural, optical, and photophysical properties of both lead-based and lead-free low-dimensional metal halides and investigates their applications in light-emitting diodes. In Chapter II, the nature of Mn2+ doping in two-dimensional (2D) lead halide perovskites is discussed. 2D perovskites show strong excitonic and dielectric confinement due to their quantum well structures. Introducing optically active Mn²⁺ dopant ions into these 2D perovskites further enhances their optical properties and promotes energy transfer from the host to the Mn²⁺ dopants, resulting in dual …

Assessment Of Local Ecological Knowledge, Oyster Predation, And Habitat Function To Improve Management Of Nearshore Habitats, Cynthia Evelyn Marie Lupton

Theses and Dissertations

Coastal ecosystems along the northern Gulf of Mexico are ecologically and economically vital yet increasingly threatened by environmental change, habitat degradation, and knowledge gaps that complicate restoration and management efforts. This dissertation integrates social and ecological approaches to improve understanding of predator dynamics, stakeholder perceptions, and habitat function related to nearshore habitats. Thereby, providing information that can inform adaptive management and restoration in the region through addressing three overarching objectives: 1) evaluate stakeholder perceptions of oyster (Crassostrea virginica) predation and management practices; 2) quantify environmental and habitat factors influencing oyster drill (Stramonita haemastoma complex) abundance; and, 3) assess the influence …

Harmonic Response Analysis Of Asymmetric Double-Wishbone Suspension Systems For Amphibious Vehicle Stability, Harper K. Mccraw

Theses and Dissertations

Amphibious vehicles in the surf zone face severe hydrodynamic forcing, yet their internal suspension dynamics remain under-characterized. This research quantifies the non-linear dynamic response of an asymmetric double-wishbone suspension under regular wave impact. Using a physical model in a wave flume and a Qualisys motion-capture system, global rigid-body roll angles were processed through a decoupled kinematic numerical framework to isolate time-domain strut displacements. To evaluate stability, the data was transformed into the frequency domain to calculate Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). Results indicate that all test configurations exhibited significant non-linearity, primarily driven by mechanical clipping as struts reached their physical travel …

Creative Media Production Curriculum Design, Development, And Implementation For Undergraduate Programs, Christopher P. Misun

Theses and Dissertations

This capstone explores the limited availability of structured, production-focused creative media education within the examined institutional context, despite increasing student interest and industry demand. The aim of this study is to design a research-based undergraduate Creative Media Production (CMP) curriculum that aligns with institutional needs, industry standards, and evidence-based teaching practices. The study utilizes a conceptual framework combining constructivist learning theory, Understanding by Design, Project-Based Learning, High-Quality Project-Based Learning, and the ADDIE instructional design model. The research questions investigate how curriculum design and teaching methods prepare students for professional creative media production education. Using a qualitative, design-based approach, data are …

The Effects Of Experiential Learning On Engineering Self-Efficacy: A Study Of The Impact Of Inperson And Virtual Internships, Co-Ops, And Research Experiences, Sunny Bharat Patel

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examined the relationship between participation in Engineering Learning Experiences (ELEs) and engineering self-efficacy, with particular attention to differences among ELE types (internships, cooperative education, and undergraduate research) and delivery modalities (in-person versus hybrid/virtual). Grounded in social cognitive theory, this study sought to better understand how work-related experiential formats influence students’ confidence in their ability to succeed in engineering tasks and professional contexts. As engineering programs and industry increasingly adopt flexible and technology-mediated environments, examining how these experiences shape beliefs about engineering capability is both timely and necessary. Using a mixed-methods approach, quantitative analyses compared self-efficacy outcomes across students …

Unbounded Derivations On Algebras Associated With Monothetic Groups: An Expository Thesis, Britton Phillips

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an expository exploration of the paper Unbounded Derivations in Algebras Associated with Monothetic Groups. Monothetic groups will be utilized to create a minimal system that gives rise to two C*-algebras, and once we have these algebras, unbounded derivations will be able to be defined on them. These derivations are able to be classified and decomposed into ”special” derivations, and these decompositions help simplify the comparisons between derivations on different algebras. In particular, we emphasize the classification, covariance properties, innerness and approximate innerness, and the lifting behavior of these derivations.

In The Pursuit Of Beauty: A Bureaucratic History Of Chicago's Parks, 1860-1900, Jackie L. Perkins

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines how the decentralized and competitive urban government of Chicago regulated not only the material conditions but also the aesthetic beauty of three separate park systems formed in 1869 as a response to Chicagoans’ broad push for improved recreational landscapes in the city. The systems, political entities each governed by its own commission, experienced varying levels of independence from the city of Chicago. As commissioners worked towards the creation of urban parks modeled after the idealized beauty made popular by New York’s Central Park, they encountered the bureaucratic and environmental realities of Chicago, two forces that often worked …

Development And Evaluation Of A Closed-Loop Controlled Ugv With Rtk-Gps Navigation For Plastic Contamination Removal From Cotton Fields, Asifur Rahman

Theses and Dissertations

Plastic contamination in cotton reduces fiber quality, causing an estimated $600 to $750 losses annually for the U.S. cotton industry. This work developed an RTK-GNSS-based UGV navigation for a collaborative UAV-UGV plastic retrieval system. An Amiga rover was adopted and modified, and a closed-loop PD steering control based on cross-track and heading error was developed and deployed in it. The first set of tests was conducted on a 111 m A-B line on a flat lane based on ASABE/ISO 12188-2 guidelines, then repeated in a cotton field. The P50 and P95, and max cross-track errors were about 1, 5, and …

Exploring Teacher Efficacy:Teaching Practices And Strategies To Enhance Student Success, Terilyn Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Through interviews with a diverse group of educators across grade levels and subject areas, the researcher explored teachers’ lived experiences focused on their instructional efficacy and teaching practices influencing student success. Guided by Bandura’s self-efficacy theory, the purpose of the study was to examine how teachers’ beliefs in their instructional capabilities shaped their classroom practices. The researcher analyzed participants’ narratives using a thematic analysis approach to identify recurring patterns and themes related to instructional practice, professional beliefs, and classroom experiences. Participants represented varying years of teaching experience, content areas, and school contexts, providing a comprehensive perspective on instructional efficacy across …

Improving 3d Object Compression For Machine Learning Applications, Ander James-Rush Talley

Theses and Dissertations

To alleviate the computational restraints inherent in 3D Deep Learning tasks, we propose a data compression method based on existing voxelization techniques. We analyze this technique through tests of structural similarity, speed, and machine learning application. In order to appropriately test its performance for machine learning tasks, we also propose an efficient method of training Convolutional Neural Networks by utilizing binary bit data as an input for a multiclass classification problem. Our current findings show that these two contributions have potential to aid the state of the art in handling large data in 3D AI/ML tasks, both in the space …

Cultivating Confidence And A Habitus Of Ex Corde Prayer Among The Baptized, Abigail Reynolds

Master of Art Theology Thesis

Reynolds, Abigail C. “Cultivating Confidence and a Habitus of Ex Corde Prayer Among the Baptized: Encouraging Ex Corde Prayer Among the Baptized as Part of Diaconal Soul Care.” M.A. thesis, Concordia Seminary, 2026. 77 pp.

Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions abound with encouragement to pray, describing prayer as communication between children and their heavenly Father. Yet, for many parishioners in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, praying ex corde prayers aloud with other Christians (family or friends) causes anxiety and is not a common practice. This thesis examines the Lutheran teaching that prayer is based in baptismal identity as God’s child and …

Poly(Adp-Ribose) Polymerase Inhibitor Maintenance Therapy In Ovarian Cancer: A Single-Center Retrospective Study., Sydney Pence, Kayla Dyson, Kristen Waters, John O Elliott, Kellie Rath, Stuart Pierce, Amy Harper, Corinne Calo, Aine E Clements

OhioHealth Research Institute Articles

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness and tolerability of PARPi maintenance in a real-world patient population. Specifically, to assess duration of PARPi, the rate of secondary malignancies, rate of side effects, and survival.

METHODS: A retrospective review of patients with ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio was performed. All patients diagnosed since March 2015 were reviewed for eligibility. Data was collected via EMR query and stored in REDCap. Charts were reviewed for multiple data points, including duration of PARPi use, side effects, secondary malignancies, survival, and recurrence. Data were reported descriptively with …

Design And Uncertainty Methodology In High Efficiency Filtration Media Testing, Jeremy Andrei Adriano

Theses and Dissertations

Electrospun nanofiber media are being developed as potential alternatives to conventional HEPA filtration materials due to their small fiber diameters and tunable microstructures. To support future testing of these materials, the Small-Scale Test Stand (SSTS) at the Institute for Clean Energy Technology (ICET) requires modifications to ensure accurate and repeatable aerosol filtration measurements. Electrospun filters introduce challenges including fragile media structures and uncertain filtration efficiencies that may allow particle penetration to downstream instrumentation. This work evaluates adaptations to the SSTS design to support testing of electrospun filtration media. In addition, an uncertainty framework for aerosol measurements obtained using a Scanning …

How Did A Pandemic Impact Park Usage Among The Older Adult Populations In Memphis, Tn?, Katherine Barlow

Theses and Dissertations

During COVID-19 older adults’ populations were a vulnerable demographic, and through a review of existing literature it was determined that there is limited research about park and outdoor space use during COVID-19 by older adults. This research seeks to address these gaps by examining how a pandemic impacted park usage among the older adult population (age 60+) in Memphis, TN at Shelby Farms Park. This study examines the comparison of park use during (2020-2023) and after (2023-present) COVID-19. A mixed methods approach was employed. Wilcoxon Signed Rank test was run to analyze the survey data and a significant statistical difference. …

Mandates Versus Capacity: Utilizing Pace To Proactively Approach Teacher Evaluation For High School Administrators In Mississippi, Jessica Paige Posey Cumberland

Theses and Dissertations

A lack of teacher support from administration remains one of the leading reasons provided by teachers leaving the classroom exacerbating the growing teacher shortage nationwide. Over the past twenty years, policies have been passed in the form of teacher evaluation systems in order to ensure support for teachers is provided and that quality educators are servicing public school students in the U.S. Oftentimes relying on already overburdened administrators in the school to provide the mandated support without the consideration of the existing environmental demands of the administrator, specifically time as a resource, the potential for administrators to cope with the …

From Miocene Origins To Ecological Diversification: Unraveling Evolutionary Dynamics Of North American Asters (Symphyotrichum), Sushil Dahal

Theses and Dissertations

Symphyotrichum, a plant genus traditionally treated within the genus Aster L., comprises >100 species of annual or perennial plants in the Compositae family Asteraceae. One of the most diverse genera in the southeastern US flora, the genus extends across the Americas, the Caribbean as well as eastern Eurasia. Despite its presence across the major American biomes and with distinctive floristic characteristics, several question regarding Symphyotrichum remains obscure. This research project focuses on exploring diverse aspects of Symphyotrichum systematics, biogeography and evolution. I tested three main hypotheses: (1a) Symphyotrichum originated ancestrally across Mexico and eastern North America in the Miocene ( …