Digital Commons Network^™

Americanism In The Soviet Union: How Albert Kahn Industrialized The Soviet Union, Daniel Leclair

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The aim of this dissertation is to examine Albert Kahn’s influence on the Soviet Union during Joseph Stalin’s first five-year plan, how the Soviet Union influenced Albert Kahn and obstacles that Albert Kahn, Inc. faced from American news reporting. This research focuses on the significance of American news reporting on Albert Kahn’s first contract with the Soviet Union until after Albert Kahn’s death and Germany’s attack on Stalingrad in 1942. The opposition that Albert Kahn faced early on with his dealings with the Soviet Union, because of the red scare that the US faced between 1917 and 1920 and then …

Exploring Help-Seeking Behaviors For Marital Distress Amongst African American Clergy, Desmond John Crawley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the help-seeking behaviors of African American clergy along the East Coast of the United States in response to marital distress. The theory guiding this study is social constructivism, which was developed in the 1930s by Russian Social Scientist Lev Vygotsky. This theory explores how meaning is developed through social interaction within and between individuals in a given community. Relative to this study, this constructivist perspective will help to explore the meanings that African American clergy assign to marital distress, the prioritization of help-seeking, and their role within the Black community. This …

Sacred Silence: The Unspoken Realities Of Satisfaction In Marital Intimacy Among Black Christian Women, Shonda Reneé Brooks

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Sexual intimacy is a vital component of marital satisfaction, yet many married Black Christian women, taught to abstain from sex until marriage, enter matrimony without adequate marital guidance. This qualitative phenomenological study describes the lived experiences of married Black Christian women, ages 30–60, who were taught to abstain from sex until marriage but received little to no instruction on sexual intimacy after marriage. The central research question is: How do married Black Christian women, who were taught to abstain from sex until marriage, describe their experiences with marital intimacy? Framed by feminist theory, attachment theory, and intersectionality, the study examines …

Leading Like Christ: A Phenomenological Study Of The Biblical Shepherd Motif In Christian Parachurch Executive Leadership, Alex Sefton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of Christian nonprofit parachurch organization executive leaders in southeastern Indiana (i.e., Decatur County and its adjacent counties). For the purpose of this study, executive leaders was defined as those who hold a top-level leadership position at an organization, and Christian nonprofit parachurch organization was defined as an organization designated under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) that advances biblical principles and social welfare. Shepherd-like leadership was generally defined as a leadership style that demonstrates relational care, personal guidance, and protection of well-being, as seen in Psalm …

Wrestling With The Cold War, Robert M. Barnum

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation examines how professional wrestling functioned as a cultural arena through which Americans interpreted, dramatized, and emotionally processed the Cold War from the 1950s to the early 1990s. By analyzing wrestling storylines, character archetypes, promotional narratives, and fan responses, the study demonstrates that wrestling not only reflected prevailing geopolitical tensions but also actively shaped public perceptions of the ideological conflict between the United States and the Soviet Union. Throughout the Cold War, promotions deployed foreign “heel” characters—initially German and Japanese, later Soviet and Iranian—to embody national anxieties and reinforce patriotic sentiment. Soviet characters, including Nikolai Volkoff, Ivan Koloff, and …

Protecting Computer Systems In The Post-Quantum World, Thomas C. Gerlach

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The 20th century saw remarkable growth due to technological advances, with many of the most significant advances due in no small part to the transistor and the computer revolution it spawned. During the last several decades, an even more transformative technology has been making incredible advances: quantum computing. Quantum computers will significantly impact computer security, with a profound risk to encryption and privacy. However, because of the incredibly complicated nature of quantum computing and the variety of fields involved, quantum computing continues to be viewed as science fiction by many and is failing to garner enough attention within the computer …

Do Financial Institutions’ Senior Leaders’ Shared Vision Moderate Or Mediate The Relationship Between Emotional Intelligence And Sales Professionals’ Work Engagement?, Jacob Glen Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The modern workplace is driven by rapid changes, complexities, and challenges resulting from disruptions in the global marketplace. The disruptions have prompted organizations to prioritize leadership effectiveness to navigate the required business changes better and maintain a competitive advantage. The prioritization of leadership effectiveness has brought emotional intelligence, transformational leadership, and employee work engagement to the forefront of research. This study evaluated the relationship between the emotional intelligence of financial institutions’ leaders and their sales professionals’ work engagement as mediated or moderated by the leaders’ communication of a shared vision. The sales professionals and their leaders at select asset managers …

Designing Break-Glass Access The Preserves Accountability, Hattin Gram Berryman

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Second Person Pronouns In The King James Bible, Drew Barrett Chandler

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Diverse Directions, Sadie Smith

B.A./B.S. Practicum Group Exhibit (ART 499)

My work explores the complex interactions between individuals  and the way we interact with family and romantic partners within the household. My sculptures display these interactions while each exemplifying the unique emotions associated with the situation, juxtaposing amorphous, body-like ceramic forms with the nostalgia of antique wallpapers, carpets, and furniture. Each piece reflects my overall theme of this interpersonal interaction by creating different subnarratives in relation to it. One example of my work is “The Ambivalent.”. Its stiff, body-like appearance encases a smaller fabric object laying peacefully inside. This mother and child impression between the figures relates back to my …

Diverse Directions, Grace L. Rittenhouse

B.A./B.S. Practicum Group Exhibit (ART 499)

This body of work explores an evolving fantasy world of my creation through painted illustrations. It emphasizes the beauty of humans and nature using small details like intricate patterns and subtle expressions with soft, blended art in a wide range of vibrant colors. This exploration is mainly through portraiture and original characters.

By using oils, I focus on creating unique characters; drawing inspiration from mythology, folklore, and cultures from across the globe. The two works Newborn Star and Moon Prince take inspiration from traditional Chinese fashion, the symbolism of marigold flowers within Mexican culture, and the traditional uses of opium …

Centering Access: Reimagining Basic Writing Through Critical Disability Frameworks, Jason Burton Mccormick

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Despite decades of scholarship arguing otherwise, developmental writing spaces are still often treated as places of deficit in higher education. This deficit positioning emerges in the ways the courses are discussed (as barriers and burdens to graduation), the way learners are imagined (being “unprepared” for college work), and the way placement is understood as punishment. Developmental educators continue to fight this stigma, but rely on stories of students “overcoming” rather than acknowledging that the stigma is a product of the institution and its discriminatory norms, not the offering itself.

My work reimagines the developmental writing classroom as an essential liminal …

Development Of A Decision Aid For Single-Sided Deafness Intervention For Adults: An Exploratory Mixed Methods Study, Priya Karimuddanahalli Premkumar

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Individuals with single-sided deafness (SSD) encounter challenges such as difficulty localizing sounds, understanding speech in noisy environments, heightened auditory fatigue, and a diminished quality of life. The available treatment options for SSD are diverse, ranging from contralateral routing of signal (CROS) devices and bone conduction devices (BCD) to osseointegrated auditory implants (OAI), cochlear implants (CI), or even opting for no device at all. However, each of these treatment choices comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Navigating the decision-making process for SSD treatment can be challenging due to each option's unique pros and cons. Furthermore, there remains a …

Echoes Of Malignancy: Triple-Hit Lymphoma Presenting As An Isolated Pericardial Effusion, Nathan Fletcher, Anne Marie Bonaguro, Yanxia Li

Advocate GME

Background: Malignancy is the second most common cause of pericardial effusion, typically occurring in advanced stages. Lymphomas account for a minority of malignant effusions, with symptomatic pericardial disease as their initial presentation being exceptionally rare. Case: A 64-year-old man with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease presented with two weeks of progressive dyspnea, orthopnea, and productive cough. Chest radiograph showed an enlarged cardiac silhouette and bibasilar opacities. Computed tomography of the chest revealed a complex circumferential pericardial effusion up to 3.6 cm, confirmed on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) with diastolic underfilling but no tamponade physiology. Pericardiocentesis yielded 660 mL of sanguineous fluid (glucose …

Baseline Nt-Probnp As A Predictor Of 1-Year Heart Failure Hospitalizations In Cardiac Amyloidosis, Hannah Runnoe, Anne Marie Bonaguro, Valentina Turbay Caballero, Mariane Cindy Ndiaye, Mark Dela Cruz

Advocate GME

No abstract provided.

Beyond The Heart: A Fatal Case Of Perforated Peptic Ulcer Presenting As Chest Pain, Noor Alkhawam, Hannah Runnoe, Colin Coughlin

Advocate GME

No abstract provided.

Risky Rash Riddle: A Case Of Sulfamethoxazole-Trimethoprim-Induced Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Mimicking Iga Vasculitis, Paras Sahani, Ameer Abdeljaber, Devin Dixit, Megan Leitner, Aisha Ahmed, Hannah Runnoe, Matthew Posen

Advocate GME

No abstract provided.

Induced Membrane Reconstruction (Masquelet Technique) For An Open Pilon Fracture With Segmental Bone Loss: A Case Report, Courtney Gaines, Andrew Silman, Dylan Patel, Akhil Reddy

Advocate GME

No abstract provided.

An Autism-Centered Analysis Of The Aesthetics And Narrative Of Gene Wolfe’S Book Of The New Sun, Sebastian Peterson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Much of the recent work published within the literary neurodiversity studies field focuses on how certain writing techniques can be viewed as representing the experience of being autistic by influencing the reader so that they experience distinctly autistic patterns of cognition. Likewise, the Book of the New Sun series employs many such techniques within the narrative and prose. This is in addition to the fact that the plot contains elements that mirror the relationship and conflict between those with autism and neuronormative hegemony (that being the ways in which societies oppress, mistreat, and belittle those not deemed “neurotypical”). The goal …

What If You Were My Fucked Up Dad And I Was Your Fucked Up Boy And We Cried Together, Ferris Ramirez

Theses

When I was six, maybe seven, my father said I would be disowned if I ended up a faggot. Twenty years have passed since I learned to perform as someone else around my father. As I come to terms with our irreparable estrangement, I present a question to the father I fail to connect with and to an imagined man: What if you were my fucked up dad and I was your fucked up boy and we cried together? This line of inquiry is the very title of my multimedia series, framing concepts of projection, queer desire, fatherhood, role-playing, and …

Platypnea-Orthodeoxia Unmasked: The Role Of Intracardiac Echocardiography When Standard Imaging Fails, Rachel Morris, Carma Azhar, Hannah Runnoe, Laura Becker, Owais Shakir Abdul-Khafi, Ibrahim Kassas

Advocate GME

No abstract provided.

When High Turns Harmful: Synthetic Cannabinoid-Induced Stroke In A Patient With Cryptogenic Risk Factors, Rachel Morris, Rusheek Rawal, Hannah Runnoe, Radhika Huliyar, Matthew R. Leach

Advocate GME

No abstract provided.

Metastatic Masquerade: A Tragic Case Of Tuberculosis Meningitis Masquerading As A Metastatic Brain Lesion Complicated By Cardiac Arrest, Hannah Runnoe, Rusheek Rawal, Rachel Morris, Radhika Huliyar, Dana Mueller

Advocate GME

No abstract provided.

Optimization Of A Point Absorber Wave Energy Converter (Wec), Rutwa Dilipkumar Nagar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

This study examines the performance and optimization of a point absorber wave energy converter with a partially submerged spherical float. A comprehensive open-source computational framework integrates frequency-domain hydrodynamic analysis with time-domain simulation using Capytaine, BEMIO, and WEC-Sim. Hydrodynamic coefficients such as added mass, radiation damping, and excitation forces are calculated and integrated into the governing equation of motion using the Cummins formulation. A parametric analysis varies the float diameter and geometric configurations across several cases. Hydrodynamic coefficients and response amplitude operators are assessed to analyze system behavior and resonance characteristics. Results indicate consistent trends in normalized added mass, with radiation …

Biblical Leadership And Gender: Balancing Cultural Context And Theological Conviction, Lorie Lynn Heath

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

God originally made male and female in His image, imparting to them a shared authority over creation. They were co-heirs equal in purpose, mission, and value. However, cultural practices and patriarchal traditions have long obscured this original biblical design. Consider a qualified young woman in a local church, called, talented, and valued by her congregation, yet repeatedly overlooked for preaching and teaching positions because of her gender. Her story is not unique. This misapplication of Scripture not only harms women but also weakens the body of Christ and impedes the church’s testimony to the gospel. Accurate comprehension of the Bible …

Distraction Or Tool? Exploring The Relationship Between Social Media And Practice Habits Of Collegiate Music Students With Adhd, Marianne Nicole Mills

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative phenomenological study examined the relationship between social media use and the practice habits of collegiate music students with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). While social media platforms inspire collaboration, creativity, and educational resources, they also introduce potential distractions and barriers to initiating practice sessions, especially for students with executive functioning challenges. Using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework, five applied music students at a small, private college in Florida participated in semi-structured interviews and kept reflective practice journals for six weeks. Findings indicated that social media served as a dual-purpose influence, supporting learning and community while also increasing procrastination, …

Possible Proarrhythmic Effect Of Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing: A Case Of Ventricular Tachycardia Storm, Hannah Runnoe, Rachel Morris, Manasi Sejpal, Stephen Tyler Phillips, Adarsh K. Bhan

Advocate GME

No abstract provided.

Unmasking The Murmur: Native Pulmonic Valve Endocarditis By Streptococcus Mitis In A Patient Without Classic Risk Factors, Nathan Fletcher, Ruben Martinez, Daniel Graber, Mitali Roy

Advocate GME

Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) of the native pulmonic valve is exceedingly rare. Reported cases most commonly involve Staphylococcus aureus and occur in patients with intravenous (IV) drug use or congenital valvular disease.

Case Description: A 50-year-old woman with coronary artery disease and a secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) presented after one week of rigors, dyspnea, chest pain, and vomiting. Initial evaluation showed leukocytosis (14.3 K/mcL) and unremarkable vital signs. A previously undocumented high-pitched murmur was noted at the left upper sternal border. Blood cultures drawn in the emergency department grew Streptococcus species at 19 hours, and empiric IV ceftriaxone was …

A Phenomenological Study: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Veterans During Their Separation Transition, Nereida Valentine

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the phenomenon of the lived experiences of U.S. veterans’ during their transition into civilian life across all military branches. The theory guiding this study was Schlossberg’s 4S theory on adult transitions, this theory identifies what factors influence how veterans adapt to their transition into civilian life. Data analysis was led from this central research question: “What are the lived experiences of veterans’ and their academic readiness during their transition into civilian life?” The methodology used was transcendental phenomenological approach to understand the lived experiences of 12 participants and how they adapt …

Students Drive Instruction: Play-Based Learning For School Readiness, Sheri L. Showalter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the perspectives of integrating play with standards for promoting executive functions in kindergarten in two different schools in Japan. For this research, the integration of play with standards is defined as directed goals and expectations from governing schools/districts while still allowing child-centered, hands-on, collaborative play in kindergarten. The theory guiding this study is sociocultural theory. The central research question is: How do teachers implement developmentally appropriate activities that support executive functions for school readiness in two different kindergarten programs in Japan? This multiple case study explored the challenges and successes …