Digital Commons Network^™

Multiple Output Power Supply Using Toroidal Transformers For Medium Voltage Active Gate Drivers, Samhitha Venkata Machireddy

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

When operating in high power applications, power devices dissipate tens or hundreds of watts of power in the form of heat. The ability of the power devices to withstand power and dissipation of heat across the power devices becomes a prominent requirement in designing the power converter. This challenge demands a power converter design to be more effective and consistent which factors in size, cost, weight, power density and reliability. This study aims to propose a gate driver isolated power supply design that can be used in medium voltage applications (e.g., up to 10 kV) while respecting the principle of …

Green Infrastructure In The Ozarks: Northwest Arkansas Development Policy And The Open Space Plan, Daniel Holtmeyer

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Northwest Arkansas regional planning authorities in 2016 released the Northwest Arkansas Open Space Plan, a voluntary document outlining ways to protect and preserve important open spaces even as the region’s population balloons and urban development spreads outward. No one appears to have made a systematic attempt to gauge the Plan’s impact on development decisions, however. In this thesis, I conduct a qualitative survey of several cities and counties’ planning codes and comprehensive plans to determine how much these policies have in common with the Open Space Plan’s essential principles. From that survey, I also conduct two case studies of recent …

The Perceived Needs Of First Responders To Identify And Support Sex Trafficking Victims: A Case Study, Raja Kumar

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Researchers have found that sex trafficking in the 21st century is a growing human rights atrocity. This qualitative case study investigates law enforcement professionals’ perceived needs as first responders to identify and support sex trafficking victims. Specifically, this study examines resources, training, and support that they perceive to be critical to their success. The primary research question that guides this study is what do first responders need to identify and support sex trafficking victims? To answer this question, the following sub-questions facilitate the inquiry: A) What resources do law enforcement professionals need to identify and support victims of sex trafficking? …

Effect Of Human Decellularized Skeletal Muscle On Recovery From Volumetric Muscle Loss Injury, Jacob Schluns

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Volumetric muscle loss (VML) overwhelms muscle’s robust capacity for regeneration. A key event in the etiology of VML injury is the bulk loss of structural cues provided by the underlying extracellular matrix (ECM). While muscle is a highly structured tissue, with cell and ECM alignment in the direction of contractile force production, the impact of scaffold alignment on recovery remains unclear. Bulk human decellularized skeletal muscle (DSM) tissues were sectioned into 10 x 1-2 mm fibers. VML defects were repaired using multi-fiber implants consisting of approximately 8 fibers per defect arranged into two layers. Fibers were oriented 1) to the …

What Cognitive Processes Drive Attentional Bias, And How Does Stress Affect Them?, Colton L. Hunter

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Attentional biases toward or away from emotionally evocative stimuli have been well documented and related to clinical outcomes such as social anxiety. Some work has suggested that stress modulates attentional biases, but there are a number of inconsistencies in this literature regarding the direction of that modulation, highlighting a need to examine moderators of that effect. Sex differences in stress effects could potentially explain this inconsistency, as acute stress can affect males and females differently. It is also possible that stress differentially influences multiple component processes underpinning attentional bias, but these processes have not been well character, and to date …

Reproducibility And Replicability In Unmanned Aircraft Systems And Geographic Information Science, Cassandra Howe

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Multiple scientific disciplines face a so-called crisis of reproducibility and replicability (R&R) in which the validity of methodologies is questioned due to an inability to confirm experimental results. Trust in information technology (IT)-intensive workflows within geographic information science (GIScience), remote sensing, and photogrammetry depends on solutions to R&R challenges affecting multiple computationally driven disciplines. To date, there have only been very limited efforts to overcome R&R-related issues in remote sensing workflows in general, let alone those tied to disruptive technologies such as unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and machine learning (ML). To accelerate an understanding of this crisis, a review was …

Potential Control Of Invasive Mesquite Through Improving The Consumer’S Understanding Of Liquid Smoke Applications., Seth W. Ellsworth

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Mesquite trees continue to invade forests and range lands in many countries across the world. The cost to remove these trees is staggering. In Texas, landowners spent $25 million over a 10- year period to clear 300,000 ha of mesquite trees, a fraction of the 22 million ha of Texas land affected by this invasion. Estimates are that the mesquite continues to negatively impact one to two percent of additional land in selected counties each year in Texas. However, the problem is not unique to Texas, but rather to the 44 species of mesquite trees, belonging to the genus Prosopis …

Mitral Valve Imaging And Biomechanics: A Workflow Towards Computational Modeling And Validation, Sam Stephens

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The mitral valve serves a critical role in healthy cardiac function by ensuring the unidirectional flow of oxygenated blood from the left atrium into the left ventricle. It experiences the highest pressures found within the heart and its closure is the result of a complex interaction of several different structures that, furthermore, are unique to each individual. Despite the valve’s vital role however, the specific function of these constituent structures is not fully understood. This, confounded by its asymmetric, personalized nature, make surgical interventions for the mitral valve far less effective than for its neighboring aortic valve. Efforts to overcome …

Longevity Bias, Ingroup Bias, And Culture: A Study In Modern Japan, Sophia Chier

Psychological Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

Japan has long been cited as the prime example of a collectivistic nation with many instances of ingroup bias, and is also known for its respect for things that are old. This research examined a proposed link between longevity bias, or the belief that things that are older are inherently better, and ingroup bias in a Japanese population by replicating the “art” domain in Eidelman et. al’s (2010) longevity bias study. Participants, undergraduates at a Japanese university, completed questionnaires that evaluated their aesthetic enjoyment of a painting, while also manipulating the participants’ knowledge of the artists’ nationality and the artwork’s …

Inevitable, Emilee Grummel

Student Projects

They say time heals all wounds, but in reality, time only Band-Aid's those wounds to make them more tolerable. Frank Richard Schadeck was the man who taught me how to go through life. From being my preschool teacher to teaching me how to defend and speak up for myself, he made me into the person I am today. He was not only my grandfather, but became my best friend, teacher, and mentor. Since his passing, change has become more prevalent and harder to accept.

When my grandfather was living with us, he built a miniature train set in the basement. …

Burning Brightly, Christine Sukhwa

RhetTech

This work is a personal essay I wrote for my writing class on the topic of burnout. More specifically, burnout in college students who face heavy expectations from their parents and themselves. I discussed the stigma surrounding mental health and how that contributes to 1) students not being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of burnout and 2) students being unwilling to seek help. The piece also explored the relationship between mental health stigma and South Asian culture. It touches on themes of getting better and improvement as well.

The Enticing Nature Of Fast Fashion And The Need To Fight Against It, Leila Okhravi

RhetTech

Millennials and Generation Z are becoming more conscious about their environmental footprint and how their consumption habits may exacerbate environmental harm. More specifically, they have begun reevaluating how they shop for clothing, taking into account environmental concerns and mistreatment of the labor force. However due to high demand, fast fashion, the business model in which clothing is mass produced at a low cost to bring to stores quickly, continues to be the dominant business model in the fashion industry despite its environmental harm. This research defines the environmental harm and labor exploitation in the fashion industry, explores what exactly is …

Bon Appétit!, Scott Maier

RhetTech

For my essay titled Bon Appétit, I decided to look back on my memory through a lens of food – something that has shaped not only my identity, but that of my mother and grandmother too. Although food is a mundane thing, a form of sustenance used by every living species, humans have adapted food to satisfy so much more than simply nutrition. I wanted to discover the legacy of food in my own life, and more notably in the lives of notable women in my personal history. In my research, my mother spoke with me about a ‘food-hero’ for …

In Virtual Proximity: Choosing Community Over Solitude, Deea Deb

RhetTech

Is it possible that all writers are introverts? Or are most writers simply terrified of collaborating, sharing their work with a group (read: exposing their writerly vulnerabilities, their “is this good enough” selves)? We can’t all be introverts, but most of us likely struggle with fear for our “is this good enough” selves. But why fear collaboration? I can think of two reasons: what we discover through, say, a peer review session may change not only our relationship between ourselves and our writing, but our relationship with others, our audience, and what they think of our writing: we fear being …

I Bet You Don’T Know What’S Really In Black Cake: The Rhetorics Of Trinidadian Black Cake And Recipe, Jessica Lappin

RhetTech

In a food blog-style post, I reflect on my own connection to black cake – a liquor soaked fruit cake born from the enslavement of African people in the Caribbean – while examining the cultural and food rhetorics around this delicacy to understand how the tragic meaning of black cake has evolved into a joyous one: for eating and sharing with family during the holiday season. Using the historical context as a footing for my exploration, I draw on additional scholarship and a short story to note how food intersects with identity and power. From black cake’s rhetorically ironic ingredients …

Liturgical Practices For Full Participation: Creating Opportunities For Engagement In Corporate Worship For People Living With Intellectual Disabilities At The Mooroolbark Salvation Army, Catherine Jane Spiller

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

The Mooroolbark Salvation Army is a place of welcome and acceptance for people with disabilities. However, people with intellectual disabilities often have limited opportunities for engagement in corporate worship. The act of worship is a practice everyone should be able to participate in, but barriers often limit engagement for people with disabilities. This project thesis explored and sought to address these barriers and create opportunities for full participation for people with intellectual disabilities. A small diverse group of people from the Mooroolbark Salvation Army came together for ten weeks commencing in February 2022 to consider how to attend to engagement …

Developing A Program Of Well-Being For Coptic Orthodox Clergy In The Diocese Of Melbourne, Australia, Abanoub Attalla

Doctor of Ministry Theses and Dissertations

This project aims to develop a holistic recommendation of policies, procedures, and practices that can contribute toward achieving better well-being for clergy that will equip and support them for healthy and sustainable ministerial practices. Without a plan for suitable intervention, the current situation could be quite harmful to both clergy and their congregations. Therefore, it is critical to develop processes and protocols that will facilitate the support and practices of the clergy of the Coptic Orthodox Church in Australia so they can lead a balanced and spiritually fulfilling life. Within the context of this project, I will use the word …

Music Reviews, Volume 79, No. 5, Kathleen Roland-Silverstein

Voice - All Scholarship

Contains reviews of Aria: Arien aus Oper und Ora- torium, für Sopran und Klavier/ Arias from Opera and Oratorio: for soprano and piano; Powell, Rosephanye (b. 1962). Langston Dreams; Marklund, Barbro, ed. Arias for Young Voices: Tenor; Arias for Young Voices: Baritone/ Bass.

Misapplication Of Inverse Condemnation Liability: A Legal Analysis Of The Application Of Inverse Condemnation Liability On Electrical Utilities, Nadra Mamou

UC Law Constitutional Quarterly

No abstract provided.

The Constitutionality Of Brain Searches, Wayne Unger

UC Law Constitutional Quarterly

If technology could read your mind and capture your thoughts as storable and processable data, would that frighten you? Recent advancements in brain-computer interfaces will likely make mind-reading a reality, and if it does, it presents the last stand or final frontier in the battle for privacy protections. It is well established that an individual must be able to retreat into their home and be free from government intrusion. But if an individual cannot retreat into their own mind free from government intrusion, then true solitude will become extinct. In a future state where braincomputer interfaces can actively decode an …

Factors That Predict Viewer Engagement During Educational Youtube Videos, Tyler Tarver

College of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine factors influencing user engagement when watching educational videos. Specifically, this study explored the extent to which video length and video style predict the percentage watch time, number of likes, number of comments, and number of shares of educational YouTube videos. The Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning served as the theoretical framework for this investigation. YouTube Creator Studio was used to select a convenience sample of 683 videos created between 2008 and 2021 and uploaded to the Tarver Academy YouTube channel. Simultaneous entry ordinary least square multiple regression and negative binomial regression models …

Predictive Effects Of Athletics, Social Clubs, Race, And Sex On Academic Performance At A Private University, John Mark Warnick

College of Education Dissertations

Understanding what aids or hinders student success and the nuances found in a private institution may yield opportunities for improved retention, graduation, and satisfaction rates. Therefore, this study examined the predictive effects of athletic participation, social club membership, race, and sex on college students’ academic performance at a private university, as measured by grade point average (GPA), hours earned, and graduation status. The study utilized Alexander Astin’s theory of student involvement as a framework. This quantitative study collected 7 years of data from a university’s student information system and then analyzed using two multiple regressions and a linear regression. Social …

Effects Of An Arkansas Better Chance Prekindergarten Program On Academic Achievement Of Fourth-Grade Students, Samuel H. Slott Iii

College of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate and determine if a difference exists between students who attended an Arkansas Better Chance program and those who did not participate in a program on English, reading, science, and mathematics achievement for fourth grade students. Scores chosen for this study were from the 2019 4th-grade students in eight Arkansas school districts. The samples were chosen from eight school districts participating in the ABC prekindergarten program. A 2 x 2 factorial ANOVA was used to determine if a statistical difference existed. ACT Aspire Summative Assessment scores from 388 students was used to provide …

Effects Of Gender, Race, Poverty, And Act Test Prep On The Arkansas Delta Act Reading Subtest And Composite Scores, Bruce Guthrie

College of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the effects of gender, race, poverty, and ACT prep on ACT Reading and Composite scores for Arkansas Delta schools participating versus those not participating in an ACT test prep program. This study used a quantitative, causal-comparative strategy. The sample included the ACT Reading subtest and ACT Composite scores from the 11th-grade ACT in seven Arkansas Delta schools. Data analysis involved 2 x 2 factorial ANOVAs. The study's key findings were that participation in an ACT prep program improved ACT Reading and Composite scores, and most of the variables had statistical significance. Students’ …

Effects Of School Configurations On Ninth-Grade Act Aspire Summative Assessment Scores In Arkansas, Kerry Daughety

College of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to study the effect of school configurations on ninth grade summative assessment scores by gender. This study aimed to provide additional insight to educational leaders through a causal-comparative comparison of three secondary school configurations using quantitative evaluation. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory provided the core theoretical framework. Each hypothesis focused on a subject on the ACT Aspire Summative Assessment of ninth-grade students except writing, using a 3 x 2 factorial ANOVA causal-comparative study. No significant interaction between configuration type and gender was found in the four hypotheses. Two hypotheses had significant main effects. Hypothesis 2 …

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Affecting Arkansas Males’ Reading, Mathematics, And Science Achievement, Landon Grimes

College of Education Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation was to determine the effects between sixth-grade male students from eight Arkansas school districts educationally identified with a 504 plan for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) versus all other males on reading, mathematics, and science achievement, as measured by the ACT Aspire Summative Assessment. Barkley’s framework for understanding ADHD theory was used as the theoretical lens to examine the research. Each hypothesis stated that no significant difference would exist between the two groups. Three one-way ANOVAs were used to analyze the data. The independent variable for each hypothesis was ADHD educational identification as determined by …

Drs Annual Report 2022, Design Research Society

Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

Healthcare Experiences By Race, Sex, And Weight Status In A Sample Of Low Wage Workers Before And During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Michael Ampofo

Honors Scholar Theses

There is longstanding evidence of racial, sex-based, weight-based, and socioeconomic status (SES) disparities in the quality of healthcare. These disparities can result from provider bias and discrimination in the healthcare system and can contribute to disparities in health outcomes. The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated differential treatment in healthcare due to the strain it placed on the healthcare system. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on U.S. healthcare experiences among low SES non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic White patients. This secondary analysis utilized survey measures from 225 low-wage workers, ages …

A Dna-Peptide Crosslink (Dpc) Increases Mutagenicity In Sos-Induced Escherichia Coli, Alessandra Bassani

Honors Scholar Theses

Bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, have an inducible system in response to DNA damage termed the SOS response. This system is activated when the replicative DNA polymerase (Pol) III encounters a lesion, uncouples from DNA helicase, and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) accumulates at the replication fork. In this study, we investigated DNA-peptide crosslink (DpC), a common lesion that results from cross-linking of proteins or peptides, UV irradiation, and alkylating agents. To increase survival following formation of a lesion, the SOS response can utilize homologous recombination, translesion synthesis (TLS), or excision repair. With TLS, the levels of DNA Pol II, IV, …

Longitudinal Assessment Of Pharmacy Student Attitudes Towards Mental Illness, Jessica Dillon

Honors Scholar Theses

Background: Mental health stigma in providers is one of the greatest barriers in effective care in psychiatric patients. When patients feel stigma towards them, they have lower levels of self-esteem and lower medication adherence. When training healthcare providers, specifically pharmacists, it is important to assess the effectiveness of training at reducing stigma levels. Previous studies have shown that didactic teaching does not significantly decrease stigma in pharmacy students. However, other studies have shown that students who participated in psychiatric rotations have less stigma surrounding mental health following the rotation. Currently there are no studies that assess the same students’ stigma …