Digital Commons Network^™

Book Creator In A Dual Language Classroom: The Impact Of A Digital Multimodal Writing Tool On Second Graders’ Spanish Informational Writing Skills And Attitudes Toward Writing, Adriana Hart

Theses and Dissertations

Second grade students in dual-language immersion programs often experience limited vocabulary development and fluency in Spanish, which can affect their ability to comprehend texts and express ideas in writing. In many dual-language settings, Spanish writing instruction receives less instructional time than English literacy, resulting in limited opportunities for students to engage in sustained, structured writing. As a result, there is a need to examine instructional approaches that intentionally support Spanish writing development. The purpose of this action research was to evaluate the impact of a digital multimodal writing tool on second grade students’ informational writing skills in Spanish, as well …

Strengthening Competency-Based Grading Through Principal Leadership: Developing And Testing A Plc Support Protocol, Kristen Ann Holly

Theses and Dissertations

This Dissertation in Practice addresses inconsistent scoring and grading practices during Charleston CUSD1’s transition to a competency‑based education (CBE) system. Using improvement science, the study identified root causes, including varied teacher interpretations of proficiency scales, limited resources, and a lack of principal‑led structures for support and accountability. In response, the researcher and an improvement team designed and tested a principal protocol aimed at strengthening Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) as the primary mechanism for developing shared understanding and consistent grading practices. Through three Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) cycles, the protocol was refined for clarity, feasibility, and impact. Findings show that …

Developing And Validating Asian American General Strain Theory, Hyeseon Noh

Theses and Dissertations

General Strain Theory (GST) has been extensively tested across diverse populations, yet Asian Americans, the fastest-growing racial group in the United States, remain largely absent from this body of research. This study addresses this critical gap by developing and validating an Asian American GST that incorporates both traditional and culturally specific strains while examining how collectivist cultural values moderate strain-emotion-coping pathways. Using primary data from 904 Asian American adults across five generational cohorts, this research employed a moderated mediation framework across three interconnected studies. Study 1 tested foundational GST mechanisms, examining direct and mediated effects of strain on three coping …

Orchestrating Value In Global Supply Chains: An Ecosystem Approach To Boundary Decisions, Innovation, And Sustainability, Kijong Kim

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation builds on an ecosystem perspective to examine how suppliers strategically navigate interdependent relationships to sustain competitiveness in global supply chains. In today’s digitally interconnected and institutionally diverse global economy, suppliers operate within complex ecosystems composed of buyers, other suppliers, complementors, and institutional actors. In such environments, suppliers cannot rely solely on compliance with buyer mandates or transactional efficiency to maintain advantage. Instead, they must strategically position themselves within networks to preserve relationships, specialize innovation, and implement sustainability practices. Although international business and supply chain research increasingly acknowledges interfirm interdependencies, it continues to view supplier behavior primarily through hierarchical …

Soil Macroinvertebrate Biodiversity Patterns In Congaree National Park And The Role Of Dna Barcoding, Sharon Ann Kendrick

Theses and Dissertations

Soil and leaf-litter invertebrates are important components of terrestrial biodiversity and contribute to key ecosystem processes such as decomposition, nutrient cycling, and soil formation. Despite their ecological importance, these communities remain difficult to document because many taxa are small, cryptic, or challenging to identify using morphology alone. This study examined patterns of soil macroinvertebrate biodiversity across habitats within Congaree National Park while also evaluating the usefulness of DNA barcoding for documenting taxonomic diversity. Sampling was conducted at 39 sites between September 2022 and October 2024 across upland, bottomland, and bluff habitats. Macroinvertebrates were collected separately from leaf litter and soil …

Deep Learning Algorithms For Generative Materials Design And Composition Based Property Prediction, Rongzhi Dong

Theses and Dissertations

The accelerated discovery of novel functional materials is critical for advancing trans- formative technologies in energy storage, electronics, and catalysis. Current discovery strategies, whether experimental trial-and-error or DFT-based computational screen- ing, are fundamentally constrained by the limited size and diversity of existing materials databases and the difculty of building predictive models that generalize beyond known compounds. Despite signifcant progress in both experimental and computational approaches, two central challenges persist in modern materials science: generating large numbers of realistic, stable, and synthesizable materials outside existing databases, and developing machine learning models capable of accurately inferring structures and predicting properties under realistic …

The Enchantment And Disenchantment Of The Virgin Mary From Late Middle Ages Through The Reformation, Quentin Jameson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes the Virgin Mary’s role in late medieval and early modern high magic, arguing that her presence and absence in magic display cases of enchantment and disenchantment. Starting in the twelfth century, debates on Mary’s immaculate conception and purity gradually reshaped and elevated her status in Latin Christendom. This enabled Mary to be an active agent within magic as a purifier and advocate. However, early modern natural philosophers and leaders of the Reformation removed these divine abilities from Mary, producing a disenchanted Virgin within high forms of magic.

This thesis applies Karen Barad’s concept of intra-activity and continuous …

The Development Of Sonata-Allegro Form Through The Lens Of Classical Guitar, James Treadwell West Jr.

Theses and Dissertations

This study reframes sonata-allegro form from the classical guitar’s perspective, addressing the piano-centered bias in existing literature. Its purpose is to provide guitarists with an instrument-specific way to study, analyze, and perform pieces that use sonata-allegro form by showing how the guitar’s range, sustain, polyphony, and timbre reshape the form. This study is organized into four chapters.

The primary objective of Chapter one is to provide an overview of the evolution of the sonata-allegro form, explaining its origins and development from the eighteenth to the twentieth century. Chapter two consists of an in-depth analysis of the selected pieces, examining the …

The African Sky And The Human Spirit: Ethics, Exile, And Women In Saint-Exupéry And Camus, Snezana Popova

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation offers a comparative study of Albert Camus and Antoine de Saint- Exupéry, focusing on their representations of women and the ethical visions that emerge through them. While Camus is often associated with the philosophy of the absurd and Saint-Exupéry with transcendence and spiritual hierarchy, this study argues that both writers articulate a shared moral humanism grounded in responsibility, solidarity, and fidelity to human presence. The figure of the woman—whether as mother, beloved, or silent moral witness—becomes a crucial site through which these ethical commitments are revealed.

Through close textual analysis of major works—including La Mort heureuse, L’Étranger, La …

Revitalization: The Nature Of Viet Cuong’S Wind Band Trilogy, Benjamin Allen Pouncey

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this dissertation is to present analyses of Viet Cuong’s three concerti grossi for chamber ensemble and wind band. Cuong (b. 1990) is an internationally acclaimed Vietnamese-American composer whose music has been performed by world-renowned ensembles. Cuong’s dedication to furthering the wind band repertoire is evident in the recognition his works receive. With a catalog featuring pieces for a variety of instrumental settings, Cuong is highly sought-after as a composer of contemporary chamber music. The three concerti, Re(new)al, Vital Sines, and Second Nature, represent a fusion of these two worlds for which Cuong so passionately composes. Cuong considers …

Sex Differences In Cardiac Autonomic Response To Physical Exertion Following Concussion In Adolescents, Kiersten Isabella Mangold

Theses and Dissertations

Concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries, are common amongst adolescent populations. Despite the qualifier of “mild”, these injuries can have a lasting impact on quality of life and school function. It has long been suggested that females experience poorer outcomes following concussion compared to their male counterparts, yet much research focuses primarily on male populations. Various theories have been proposed to explain these reported sex differences in concussion outcomes, ranging from socio-cultural differences in symptom reporting to neuroanatomical differences and the influence of sex hormones. Cardiac autonomic function (C-ANS) has emerged as a potential contributing mechanism to post-concussive symptoms. Although …

Deep Learning Models For Anomaly Detection In Industrial Inspection, Jiawei Guo

Theses and Dissertations

Anomaly detection plays a pivotal role in ensuring the longevity and safety of engineered systems, particularly in domains where defects can have significant operational or economic consequences. From internal damage in structural parts to subtle visual defects in manufactured components, identifying abnormal patterns requires models that are both computationally efficient and suitable for real-world deployment. This dissertation explores deep learning-based solutions designed to address these challenges, with a focus on Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and industrial defect inspection under real-world scenarios.

This dissertation first addresses the problem of efficient and reliable component- level perception with limited supervision and strict hardware …

Guilt’S Role In Sustainable Fashion Adoption: Bridging The Attitude-Behavioral Intention Gap And Moral Influences On Consumer Choices, Lauren Mckenzie Cole

Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a substantial increase in consumer awareness within the fashion industry. Despite increased consumer consciousness and a growing interest in adopting sustainable fashion habits, a notable gap exists between consumer attitudes, intentions, and actual behavior. This is referred to as the attitude-behavior gap. Although many consumers express a desire to adopt sustainable fashion consumption habits, various psychological factors and barriers hinder their ability to do so. This Study addresses these challenges, focusing specifically on the role of guilt as a motivating factor in bridging the attitude-behavior gap. Using a survey with Generation Z consumers, this study …

Increasing Equity In Technology Integration, Whitney Anne Colley

Theses and Dissertations

The problem of practice focuses on unequal integration of technology across the district. This action research study aimed to understand teachers’ experiences and promote equitable use of technology in classrooms by implementing a coaching cycle centered on co-teaching and collaboration, which supports teachers beyond simply substituting traditional tools with technology, toward more meaningful integration that improves learning. Teachers often use technology as a direct substitute due to limited time and rushed professional development, which can affect their confidence and effectiveness. The study took place in a public elementary school serving 700 students, in which all students from second to fifth …

Developing Drosophila Melanogaster As An In Vivo Model Of Diet- Induced Chronic Inflammation, David Jonith Duncan

Theses and Dissertations

Diet impacts organismal health. Sub-optimal diets, such as obesogenic diets, can lead to long-term detrimental health effects. Over 60% of adults in the United States are overweight or obese, however the link between obesity and associated disease, such as chronic inflammation, remains unclear. Drosophila melanogaster is a useful in vivo model to better understand the effects of obesogenic diets on the immune response and begin examining the potential therapeutics of dietary plant compounds. Thus far, we find there is a difference in lifespan and reproduction patterns across the different control lines fed different standard diets. Oregon-R and yw control lines …

Machine Learning Toward Materials Discovery: From Crystal Mapping And Out-Of-Distribution Property Prediction To Radiation Detection And Emerging Foundation Models., Qinyang Li

Theses and Dissertations

The discovery and optimization of advanced materials are central to addressing global challenges in energy, healthcare, and sustainability. This dissertation develops representation-aware and distribution-aware machine learning frameworks to improve robustness, generalization, and interpretability in materials informatics and radiation detection. The work spans crystal structure mapping, adversarial learning for out-of- distribution prediction, foundation-model-based property prediction, and deep neural classifcation of photon interactions.

A global mapping framework is frst introduced to analyze the inorganic materials space using compositional, structural, physical, and neural descriptors derived from the Materials Project database. By embedding materials into low-dimensional mani- folds, the framework reveals clustering behavior and …

Return Or Retain: A Case Study Of The Repatriation Of The Infamous “Elgin Marbles”, Camille Marguerite Ferguson

Theses and Dissertations

In this paper, I will evaluate the infamous acquisition of Lord Elgin of Grecian Marbles, which are housed in the British Museum, with the goal of supporting the case for repatriation. I will first explore the historical background of the Acropolis, its monuments, and the destruction that has taken place over centuries. Then I will discuss the actions of Lord Elgin, Parliament, and the British Museum Board of Trustees. Additionally, in examining the liability of the international and governmental institutions, such as the United Nations and European Union, who are complicit in the case, we can find a path to …

Dynamics Of Estuarine Optical Properties And Phytoplankton Communities In Winyah Bay, Sc, Camille Jolicoeur Michaud

Theses and Dissertations

Estuarine systems present complex light environments due to large amounts of colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and turbidity that absorb and scatter light, respectively. Optical properties influence phytoplankton communities because their photosynthetic efficiency depends greatly on light availability. This study examined the optical properties of the Winyah Bay estuary in South Carolina using mixing diagrams and related these factors to phytoplankton biomass and community composition across the salinity gradient. Results showed that the behavior of optical properties and their relationship to chlorophyll-a (chl-a) changed under various environmental conditions, particularly river discharge and flushing time. While chl-a was correlated with salinity …

Musculoskeletal Physiology In Piano Pedagogy: Mechanistic Insight, Movement Exploration, And Technique-Building Exercises, Ziyue Gao

Theses and Dissertations

Piano technique requires the coordinated movements of multiple body parts; therefore, a clear understanding of the physiological principles underlying these movements is essential for effective technical instruction. Although existing literature— such as Thomas Marks’s What Every Pianist Needs to Know About the Body—provides detailed anatomical descriptions, it is often unclear how such knowledge can be systematically translated into pedagogical practice. To address this gap, this dissertation draws on musculoskeletal physiology to examine the movement mechanisms underlying major piano techniques. These mechanisms encompass thumb function, the fourth and fifth fingers, finger independence, wrist function, forearm rotation, the integration of natural arm …

Exploring Secular Jamaican Art Songs: A Performance Guide For Peter Ashbourne’S Fi Mi Love Have Lion Heart, Christine A.S. Powell-Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

Jamaican art song remains underrepresented in mainstream classical training. As a result, singers may lack exposure to its linguistic and cultural nuances. This dissertation addresses this gap by providing a performance guide specific to Peter Ashbourne’s (b. 1950-) Fi Mi Love Have Lion Heart, a set of five art songs. Attention is given to matters of text delivery, rhythmic clarity, stylistic character, and the balance between authenticity and vocal freedom. In doing so, the study honors both the classical vocal tradition and the cultural context from which these works emerge.

This document provides performance practices, interpretation and diction, including an …

The Relationship Between Members’ Characteristics And Their Group Cohesion Perceptions In A University Band Program, Andrew M. Connolly

Theses and Dissertations

Scholars have labeled group cohesion the most important construct to consider when studying group dynamics and often describe it as the result of factors that attract members to the group and encourage their continued involvement. Generations of researchers have studied group cohesion in sports teams and military units, but few have examined the construct in music education. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between collegiate wind band members’ (N = 45) characteristics and their perceptions of group cohesion within their ensembles. I conducted this quantitative, non- experimental study to examine relationships between demographic factors (major and …

A Compilation Of Works For Soprano By Moravian Composers From North Carolina, Laura Kay Hutchins

Theses and Dissertations

Moravians are among the first people to compose art music for both instrumental ensembles and works for solo voice in the American colonies. However, if you examine the repertoire taught and available to students of singing, you’ll find the songs of the Moravians are notably missing. To increase awareness, narrow the gap in research, and point teachers toward solo vocal repertoire, this document provides biographical information on several Moravian composers who lived and worked in North Carolina, as well as a compilation of selected works for solo soprano. As a secondary goal, the paper also highlights the contributions of several …

The Graduate Piano Student With Adhd: Learning And Practicing With Ongoing Challenges In Executive Function, Molly Alyse Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in the United States. According to the DSM-5-TR, ADHD is characterized by inappropriate levels of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. It is widely considered a disorder for children and adolescents, however, there is a growing number of adults receiving an ADHD diagnosis in adulthood. Because of this later diagnosis, it is unlikely that adults with ADHD have developed effective coping strategies for management of daily responsibilities. While ADHD symptoms create challenges for individuals with ADHD, deficits in Executive Functioning (EF) are one of the foremost contributors to issues with personal, …

From Sounds To Success: Multi-Sensory Parent–Child Engagement For Early Phonics Among 4-Year-Olds In Rural Jamaica, Kyc-Ann Denise Scott

Theses and Dissertations

Early literacy disparities remain a persistent challenge in rural Jamaican communities, where many young learners begin school with limited exposure to systematic phonics instruction despite the rich cultural and linguistic resources present within their families. This Dissertation in Practice examined how a multi-sensory parent– child engagement approach could improve phonemic awareness among four-year-old learners in a rural early childhood classroom in St. Elizabeth, Jamaica. Anchored in an equity-oriented improvement science framework, the study used two iterative Plan–Do– Study–Act (PDSA) cycles to test strategies that integrated systematic phonics instruction with culturally responsive parent engagement practices.

The intervention included daily multi-sensory phonics …

We Pass It On”: The Information Journey Of Black Single Mothers With Terminal Degrees – A Soundtrack Of Struggles, Successes, And Resilience, Kiera O'Shea

Theses and Dissertations

Historically, Black single mothers have played pivotal roles in their families and communities, often navigating societal systems that were not designed to include them. Systemic barriers including unemployment, wage inequality, educational inequity, and mass incarceration have contributed to a disproportionate number of Black children being raised in single-parent households, compounding the challenges Black women face when pursuing higher education. And yet Black single mothers with terminal degrees keep going — not simply despite those barriers, but through them, around them, and beyond them.

This study investigated the information behavior of Black single mothers with terminal degrees, examining how they figured …

Examining Marine Fungal Nitrous Oxide Production, Qintiantian Nong

Theses and Dissertations

Nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas, can be produced by microorganisms inhabiting marine environments. While bacterial denitrification is a major source of N2O, the role of marine fungi in this process remains poorly constrained. This thesis investigates the contribution of marine fungi to N2O production from salt marsh sediments, while also isolating new N2O-producing marine fungi and advancing methodological approaches for quantifying denitrification. First, we conducted experiments to quantify the fungal contribution to N2O production using salt and brackish marsh sediments collected from the North Inlet–Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in South Carolina during the summer and winter …

Teaching The Teachers: A Responce To Legal Illiteracy In Education, Landon Lee Kekoa Fielder

Theses and Dissertations

This action research dissertation aimed to examine the impact of teachers’ knowledge of education law and their perceived understanding of how it impacts their daily functions. This mixed methods study was conducted using digital data collection methods and analysis. The findings of this study revealed an increase in legal literacy among both pre-service and in-service teachers. Quantitative findings indicated an improved understanding of key legal concepts amongst participants. Additionally, qualitative findings expressed a heightened awareness and clarity surrounding legal responsibility for teachers. Across both in-service and pre-service teacher participant groups, participants identified gaps in their understanding and recognized the value …

Exploring The Impact Of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy On Student Cultural Capital, Jessica Asten Leonard

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the intersection of cultural capital and culturally relevant pedagogy (CRP) within the context of eighth-grade social studies education. Grounded in a theoretical framework of Bourdieu’s cultural capital theory, Ladson-Billings’ theory of culturally relevant pedagogy, and principles of critical curriculum theory, this research study investigated how elements of objectified and embodied cultural capital manifested in student participants and how those elements may have been influenced using culturally relevant instructional strategies. Within the context of a mixed methods design, a qualitative survey instrument was administered to students enrolled in South Carolina and United States history courses and sought to …

Rock In Weary Land: The Educational Expertise Of The Black Church, Salondra Daniels Griggs

Theses and Dissertations

Due to a challenging political landscape, Black students receive less educational support from public institutions. As a result, other institutions such as the Black Church have become a “Rock” for Black students to lean on in times of distress. This study examines the educational expertise located within the Black Church. Through a qualitative comparative case study, this comparative case study examines how two Black Baptist Churches in the southeastern part of the United States use their community expertise to support the education of Black student

Contributions Toward Understanding The Weak Lefschetz Property For Two Classes Of Almost Complete Intersection Ideals, Matthew Davidson Booth

Theses and Dissertations

In 1980, Richard Stanley proved that Artinian monomial complete intersections enjoy the strong Lefschetz property in characteristic zero. Since his landmark result, the strong and weak Lefschetz properties (SLP and WLP) have garnered attention from an increasing number of mathematicians from an ever-broadening swath of the mathematical community. Indeed, the Lefschetz properties have been scrutinized for their relation to algebraic invariants such as Betti numbers and the Hilbert function as well as their links from commutative algebra to other branches of mathematics.

However, the Lefschetz properties are also quite subtle; the aforementioned result due to Stanely is a rather rare …