bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phloem Loading and Carbon Transport Enhancement in Woody Plants
Authors:   , Evers John Franklin
Published: October 2024

Phloem loading is the process by which sugars are loaded into the phloem of source leaves and then subsequently transported to sink organs via bulk flow driven by hydrostatic pressure. Three loading mechanisms are described: passive, polymer trap, and apoplastic loading. In passive loading, sucrose diffuses from mesophyll through plasmodesmata into the phloem. The two energized loading mechanisms are the polymer trap and apoplastic loading. In the polymer trap, sucrose moves into intermediary cells and is synthesized into oligosaccharides that become "trapped." In apoplastic loading, sucrose is transported into the apoplast by SWEETs, and subsequently taken up by SUTs in a proton-sucrose symport mechanism, concentrating sucrose in companion cells. Herbaceous species tend to use active loading, while woody species tend to use passive loading. Confirming either passive or energized loading is not without ambiguity. Cotton was investigated as a model because its phloem loading mechanism is ambiguous. Cotton was expected to use passive loading. However, experiments showed that active sucrose accumulation occurs in leaves through GhSUT1-L2, suggesting plasmodesmata are not always a reliable indicator of passive loading and passive loading should not be assumed for woody plants. Genetic manipulation of carbohydrate transport could prove helpful for improving productivity and challenging the passive loading hypothesis. To test this, constitutive and phloem-specific AtSUC2 expression in poplar was used to (1) test the conservation of AtSUC2 expression and (2) test for apoplastic phloem loading. Poplar expressing AtSUC2 were expected to show conserved expression and apoplastic loading. Poplar expressing AtSUC2 shared a conserved vascular-specific pattern with Arabidopsis but did not load from the apoplast. These results suggest that there is conservation of companion cell identity between poplar and Arabidopsis, passive loading is the loading mechanism in poplar.
Metamorphoses in Adaptation: Ovid, Shakespeare, and Modern Theatre
Authors:   , Reaves Christa
Published: October 2024

This dissertation traces the influence of Pygmalion myth as told by Ovid as a foundational narrative on the works of Shakespeare. Shakespeare in turn transmits this influence through theatre history to the modern day. A feminist inquiry into this master narrative reveals the pervasive and insidious effect it continues to have in culture beyond the stage and screen.
Understanding the Behavioral Aspects Impacting Service Providers and Consumers in Sharing Economy
Authors:   , Idug Yavuz
Published: October 2024

This dissertation, comprised of three essays, investigates the behavioral aspects and social dynamics impacting service providers and consumers in sharing economy, with a particular focus on ride-hailing services. The first essay, informed by general deterrence theory and protection motivation theory, investigates the behavioral factors influencing the operational performance of sharing economy service providers, specifically within the ride-hailing industry, by surveying drivers. The second essay, drawing upon social identity theory, explores the effects of rider-driver ethnicity alignment on drivers' anticipated ride satisfaction, willingness to perform, and riders' trust in the driver through scenario-based online experiments with ride-hailing drivers and riders. The third essay presents a bibliometric review of existing literature on ride-hailing services to explore research trends, theoretical underpinnings, and also to identify research gaps and future opportunities in the fields of supply chain and operations management. Taken together, the three essays in this research enhance our comprehension of the behavioral factors affecting service providers and consumers within the sharing economy. As a result, both theoretical and managerial insights are generated, contributing to the existing supply chain literature.
Exploring the Impact of Digital Sales Playbooks on Sales Performance: A Comprehensive Analysis
Authors:   , Liu Yun
Published: October 2024

Organizations routinely try to find ways of optimizing performance, and one of these ways is through the use of digital sales playbooks. However, not enough is known regarding whether these playbooks impact organizational performance. Consequently, the purpose of this mixed methods research will be to examine whether salespersons perceive sales playbooks to influence sales performance in an organization. In order to better understand the impact of sales playbooks, a mixed-methods approach will be adopted. Quantitative data regarding sales performance will be collected through surveys and analyzed using SPSS. To provide context to the quantitative findings, qualitative data will be collected through interviews and analyzed. The combined findings will be used to address the research questions.
America's First Radio Demagogues: How Charles Coughlin and Robert P. Shuler Used Propaganda Techniques to Build Massive Radio Audiences during the Great Depression
Authors:   , Enochs Lee Edward
Published: October 2024

Conservative talk radio has had a long and controversial history in the United States of America. Two early controversial radio hosts who rose to fame in the United States were the "radio priest" Charles Coughlin (1889-1979), a Roman Catholic priest who had a massive national radio audience of approximately 30 million people during the 1930s, and the Reverend Robert P. Shuler (1879-1965), the fundamentalist Evangelical pastor of the 5,000 member Trinity Methodist Church in Los Angeles California. This thesis examines Charles Coughlin and Robert P. Shuler's use of recognized propaganda techniques as defined by Harold Laswell, Walter Lippmann, Ronald H. Carpenter, Alfred McClung Lee, Elizabeth Briant Lee, and others, especially in casting themselves as favored social elites, using their insider information to warn followers that other elites meant them harm. In an era when digital communication easily magnifies demagoguery, understanding the various methods and effects of propaganda as practices by these two figures might help contemporary audiences discern whether a communicator intends to promote the general welfare of society or merely their own interests. Additionally, this thesis examines Coughlin and Shuler's relationship with populist political movements.
Paving Peace or Fueling the Fire: Media Framing of the 2023 Syrian Earthquake
Authors:   , Kellogg Allen McIntosh
Published: October 2024

This research examines the media characterization of the conflict, regime, survivors, and rebels in the aftermath of the 2023 Syrian Earthquake which occurred during the Syrian Civil War. Investigating the effect of these media characterizations on governmental legitimacy. Using a sample of 143 articles from the BBC, DW, NPR, and Al-Jazeera published within the one year of the earthquake, articles were coded as positive, negative, or neutral regarding the conflict, regime, survivors and rebels. The research found media characterization of the conflict, regime, and survivors to be largely negative, while the rebels were characterized as neutral largely because most of the sample articles did not provide details on the rebel groups. This research indicates media characterizations can shape public perception in the aftermath of a disaster which in turn affects governmental legitimacy.
The Development of Clarinet Performance and Pedagogy in Taiwan with a Biographical Dictionary of Select Clarinetists
Authors:   , Chang Ting Wei
Published: October 2024

Taiwan, a Republic of China, is a modern, westernized society in which there are numerous world-class symphony orchestras, university music programs, and professional clarinetists. Because of its geographic location, differing cultural influences easily find their way to Taiwan. Students in Taiwan can receive an excellent education without ever leaving the island; however, this has not always been the case. Though there has been an influence of western music in Taiwan since the seventeenth century, there have not always been many clarinetists performing or teaching. Until rather recently, a student clarinetist in Taiwan would have needed to travel abroad to gain the skills necessary to become a competent professional. Though there are many significant resources that address the history of music and music education in Taiwan, there are almost no written sources in either Mandarin or English that specifically address the dissemination of clarinet teaching and playing in Taiwan. Therefore, the purpose of this document is to trace the development and dissemination of clarinet performance and pedagogy in Taiwan and provide a biographical dictionary of the most prominent Taiwanese clarinetists of the 20th and 21st centuries.
How Gender and Race Moderate the Mediating Effect of Distress Tolerance on Social Support and Self-Regulated Learning Relation
Authors:   , Dang Thuy
Published: October 2024

The objectives of this study include examining whether distress tolerance (DT) mediates the relation between students' perceived social support and their engagement in self-regulated learning activities associated with engaging help of others. Further, this research examines whether gender or race moderate the relations between social support and self-regulation or social support to DT. Finally, the research examines whether the mediation of the association between social support and self-regulated learning is moderated by either gender or race. DT fully mediates the relationship between social support and self-regulated learning. This study revealed that there are certain subskills of self-regulated learning (i.e., effort regulation, peer learning, help seeking) on which social support does not have a direct effect but is mediated by students' levels of distress tolerance, with students with higher levels of distress tolerance appearing to be able to engage with support. However, without direct examination of the direction of the relations given the cross-sectional nature of the research, it may be as well that students who perceive greater support from their social environment have greater ability to tolerate a certain amount of distress. This was related to higher inclination to reaching out to others for peer learning or help seeking as well as utilizing effort regulation strategies for learning to achieve academic goals.
The Evolution of the Wind Band in Chinese Musical Traditions: Exploring the Role of the Saxophone in Original and Arranged Compositions for Wind Band by Selected Chinese Composers
Authors:   , Gao Dongyue
Published: October 2024

The intent of this dissertation is to explore the development of wind bands in China and the integration of the saxophone into these performing groups, beginning from the late Qing Dynasty through the early Republican era and contemporary military bands and wind bands. While acknowledging the historical context, this study concentrates on the role of the saxophone in selected compositions for wind band. By examining the cultural motivations that inspired Chinese composers to incorporate the saxophone into the fabric of the wind band repertoire, the document sheds light on the distinctive soundscape to which it contributes. The research includes a focused examination of esteemed composers such as Chen Qian (陈黔, chén qián), whose innovative works bridge traditional Chinese musical idioms and Western influences; Chen Yi (陈怡, chén yí), recognized for her integration of Chinese folk elements into the wind band genre; Bright Sheng (盛宗亮, shèng zōngliàng), whose compositions reflect a confluence of cultural narratives; and Wang Hesheng (王和声, wáng héshēng), known for his contributions to the development of Chinese wind music.
Examining How Discrimination and Racial/Ethnic Identification Affect Internalizing and Externalizing Psychopathology by Race/Ethnicity
Authors:   , Jin Christine Ohnu
Published: October 2024

Racial and ethnic discrimination is a prevalent issue in the United States, with 63% of minorities reporting experiencing discrimination. Few studies have examined psychopathology as transdiagnostic dimensional factors when investigating its association with discrimination and racial/ethnic identification. Also, little research has established measurement invariance prior to making comparisons across race/ethnicity. To address these shortcomings, the current study (1) assessed for measurement invariance to ensure that observed differences reflected true differences in the latent factors and (2) examined how internalizing (INT) and externalizing (EXT) psychopathology are associated with experiences of discrimination, responses to discrimination, and racial/ethnic identification across White, Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian/Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander, and Hispanic groups using the NESARC-III (n = 36,309). Findings from multiple-group confirmatory factor analysis showed evidence for strong measurement invariance for all latent factors across race/ethnicity. Results from multiple-group structural equation modeling showed that discrimination experiences were associated with higher INT and EXT across all race/ethnic groups. Active responses to discrimination and racial/ethnic identification showed differential effects on psychopathology across groups, providing implications for coping strategies amidst systemic racism and underscoring the importance of recognizing heterogeneity across diverse groups. This study contributes to understanding mental health disparities and emphasizes the need for culturally competent and nuanced interventions in addressing discrimination-related psychopathology across racial/ethnic groups.
Luciano Berio's "Six Encores pour piano" (1965-1990): A Step-by-Step Guide for Teachers Introducing Later Twentieth-Century Music to Intermediate through Advanced Level Piano Students
Authors:   , Wu Lizhen
Published: October 2024

This dissertation endeavors to provide a comprehensive framework for piano instructors to effectively prepare students, spanning from beginners to early advanced levels, for the nuanced demands inherent in mastering Luciano Berio's Six Encores pour Piano. Through meticulous analysis, the technical intricacies of Berio's composition are dissected, encompassing a spectrum of challenges including rhythmic complexities, harmonic subtleties, and tonal ambiguities. Drawing upon pedagogical expertise and musical scholarship, this research offers a synthesis of solutions, pedagogical guidance, and a meticulously curated repertoire selection. This resource aims to empower piano educators, particularly those with limited exposure to twentieth-century music, with the tools and insights necessary to guide students through the intricate process of learning and interpreting Six Encores pour Piano. By bridging the gap between traditional pedagogy and contemporary repertoire, this dissertation seek to enrich the educational landscape, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding of avant-garde piano literature among both instructors and students.
"I survived my delivery": The Experiences of Black Women Who Gave Birth during COVID-19
Authors:   , Eaton Lauren Crystal
Published: October 2024

This study explores the experiences of Black women who gave birth during the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, given what is already known about medical racism, Black maternal mortality, familial support during pregnancy, and the transition to parenthood. This study adopts Black feminist thought and intersectionality as frameworks to examine Black women's experiences. It sought to provide a platform for Black women to speak openly about navigating their pregnancy during the pandemic, adapting to potential changes in their family systems after giving birth, and rallying behind their most significant points of resistance and resilience. Heuristic methodology was employed, which is appropriate when a researcher has a first-hand experience with a phenomenon that cannot be explained through the existing literature. Nine major themes emerged: being a Black woman, Black women and maternal death, COVID-19 pandemic, medical advocacy, mental health, unsupportive partners, becoming a mom, self-compassion, and relationship with child. The results of this study have implications for Black women's experiences and seeks to support prevention and intervention services that reduce the astoundingly high maternal death rate for Black women.
AgroString: Exploring Distributed Ledger for Effective Data Management in Smart Agriculture
Authors:   , Tirumala Vangipuram Lakshmi Sukrutha
Published: October 2024

Creating a robust supply chain is one of the factors for more sturdy agriculture. Most of the agricultural produce is getting wasted while storing and transporting the goods. AgroString in Section 3 system collects real-time temperature and humidity data from the IoAT edge device and performs secure data storage and transmission through a distributed ledger. Research and studies are being conducted to forecast the availability of clear groundwater with the help of traditional techniques to meet worldwide food requirements. Collecting quality data from various groundwater sites for storing and sharing for further analysis has become a more significant challenge. Our current work, Section 4, G-DaM, increases the value and reliability of groundwater data by implementing Distributed ledger with a public Blockchain, Ethereum, on the edge layer. Agriculture uses 65% of the world's freshwater for farming, half of which goes wasted; the same is the scenario for energy. We design an insurance system called IncentiveChain, which uses a distributed ledger on edge to incentivize farmers whenever they use resources at a needed level to give similar or more agricultural yield in Section 5. In the current research, we address some of the problems in data management and implement state-of-the-art distributed ledger designs and computing capabilities on the edge layer to show performance improvements in data from smart farming.
Place-Identity: New Vision towards a Phenomenology of Identity in Contemporary Art in Saudi Arabia
Authors:   , Sonbuol Leena Yahya
Published: October 2024

The dissertation centers on my personal journey in Saudi Arabia and the USA as an art student, educator, and researcher, illuminating social, cultural, racial, and gendered dimensions that intersect in various places. The study concludes with a design for a digital platform that can share my protocols and encourage others to experiment with arts-based phenomenological practice to explore place identity. Overall, this dissertation advances the understanding of place identity conceptually and empirically and offers a foundation for future research to promote experiential learning, nurture creativity, and underscore the role of perception in shaping our comprehension of identity and place in art education. This study critically assesses the ways in which identity is discussed in the contemporary art and culture scene in Saudi Arabia, proposing a more complex understanding of identity that is intimately connected to place. Although Saudi Arabian arts policies encourage art as an expression of identity, their notion of "identity" is undertheorized and does not engage with contemporary theories of identity important in the larger art world. Employing a phenomenological framework drawn by Merleau-Ponty, as well as insights from feminist and Latina phenomenologists, the research focuses on embodied and embedded identity, exploring themes of home, in-between, and multiplicity. My research aims to reveal the identity that emerges from body-place interactions. The study employs an experimental, art-based "protocol" method to analyze body-place interactions, exploring the multiple layers of identity that guide the body in the world. In particular, I created a series of protocols as phenomenological "breaching experiments" to help me critically reflect on the pre-conscious ways in which body, place, and identity interact.
Do Auditors Respond to Information Disorder on Social Media? Evidence from M&A Rumors
Authors:   , Cao Yu
Published: October 2024

Social media is becoming a popular disclosure channel with higher speed, reach, and extensive network effects. A negative information role of social media is to increase the spread of information disorder defined as false information or truth presented with the intent to harm. This study investigates whether and how auditors react to information disorder on social media, in the context of clients' merger and acquisition (M&A) rumors. I document that information disorder is positively associated with audit fees but not associated with audit delay and the likelihood of audit resignations. Additionally, increased social media attention can elevate the level of risk associated with rumors. I therefore predict that the associations will be more pronounced with greater social media influence. Using a manually collected Twitter rumor subsample, I find mixed results. This dissertation contributes to the auditing literature by documenting how external auditors incorporate social media-induced information disorder into client retention and pricing decisions.
Digital Transformation: A Systematic Review of Its Relationship with Model-Based Systems Engineering and Andragogy to Support Training
Authors:   , Tincher Brent Edward
Published: October 2024

Adopting model-based systems engineering (MBSE) tools signifies a shift in the complex nature of systems related to digital transformation. This study performs a comprehensive review and analysis to investigate organizational thinking toward training adult learners to use MBSE tools. Recognizing the wealth of experience and unique training needs characteristic of professionals, this study identifies and reflects on the prevalence of andragogy-based learning strategies to support future needs. By aligning MBSE tools with andragogy-based principles, this study seeks to contribute to the body of knowledge for both adult education and systems engineering, supporting a pathway for organizations to navigate and excel in a digitally transformed environment. This study found that organizations do not explicitly recommend a structured andragogy-based learning theory as a critical component to developing training for MBSE tools to support digital transformation. However, many of the principles ascribed to andragogy are commonly used by both organizations and researchers to promote MBSE training to adult learners. potential future development to further advance this work.
Drones in Last-Mile Delivery: Multifaceted Insights from Stakeholders
Authors:   , Garg Vipul
Published: October 2024

Through a systematic exploration of varied but interconnected landscapes, this dissertation investigates how drone technology not only reshapes individual sectors but also interlinks them, fostering a cohesive advancement toward a more efficient and technologically integrated future. By focusing on drone applications in last-mile deliveries, medical supplies, and aerospace innovations, this work contributes robust insights into the strategic adoption of drone technology, offering guidelines for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and academic scholars aiming to navigate and leverage the potentials of this groundbreaking technological frontier. Each essay within this dissertation builds upon these themes, presenting in-depth analyses and discussions that bridge theoretical knowledge with practical applications. By addressing specific challenges and opportunities within each sector, this comprehensive study contributes to academic research. It provides actionable insights for practitioners and policymakers engaged in the cutting-edge realms of logistics, healthcare delivery, and aerospace development.
Rising Palestinian Sentiments against Israel before the October 7th Attack: A Decade of Escalation (2014-2023)
Authors:   , Marjan Syed Mahfujul Haque
Published: October 2024

The thesis examines the impact of diplomatic initiatives and military conflicts on Palestinian support for armed engagement. It found a negative correlation between support for armed strategies and diplomatic events, suggesting diplomatic efforts mitigate conflict likelihood. However, there was no significant increase in public support for armed engagement during military conflict. The study suggests that diplomatic initiatives are more effective in reducing support for violence and suggests prioritizing diplomatic engagements for peacebuilding. Future research should explore psychological, social, and economic factors influencing Palestinian public opinion.
Machine Learning-Enhanced Process Parameter Optimization and Microstructure Prediction in Additive Manufacturing
Authors:   , Gu Zhaochen
Published: October 2024

Additive manufacturing (AM) is revolutionizing the production of three-dimensional objects by converting digital design into physical forms, offering benefits such as intricate shapes, lighter products, and reduced energy consumption compared to traditional methods. However, AM faces challenges like high equipment and material costs, long printing times, and limited material variety, which hinder widespread adoption and complicated process optimization. Investment in expensive 3D printers and materials, along with printing times from hours to days, are significant obstacles to mass production. To address these challenges, machine learning offers a solution by using algorithms to create optimal models and predict material properties, thereby expediting the optimization process. In AM, complex physical reactions and cooling rates can lead to deformations and defects that impact part quality and strength. This complexity is magnified in multi-layer, multi-track printing, requiring careful monitoring of melt pool morphology and defects. Fine-grained microstructure analysis is crucial for tailoring materials to specific performance requirements. Machine learning and deep learning, through data-driven modeling, provide a rapid path and potential for optimization. This dissertation explores accelerating AM optimization and underlines the pivotal role of machine learning in overcoming the associated challenges.
The Augsburg Stadtpfeifer: Financial, Sonic, and Social Significance in the Early Modern German City
Authors:   , Hicks Emily Michelle
Published: October 2024

Civic music from German cities in the early modern Holy Roman Empire have remained comparatively underrepresented in musicological research until recent reexaminations of records and use of alternative methodologies.This dissertation seeks to dispel dismissive understandings of civic musicians to demonstrate their significance and dominance in the cultural life of cities as equal to those employed by the church or court. As performers and composers, they worked with everyday people and dignitaries alike, providing music for weddings, public concerts, parades, processionals, and other city festivities. Through the quality and quantity of their performances, civic musicians were also prominent contributors to the positive perception of their city as a cultural center. One measure of early modern German cities' importance was their ability to employ musicians as salaried civil servants and to use civic music as an acoustical representation of power. Using the Free City of Augsburg as a case study, this dissertation assesses financial, aural, and sociological sources to establish how and why German civic musicians were a valued and culturally influential asset. Doing so recasts civic musicians as significant figures in the music of early modern Europe by examining the contractual obligations and salaries of the seventeenth-century Augsburg Stadtpfeifer alongside their sonic and social impacts as valued symbols of their community.
South Asian Parents' Consonance with Play Therapy Attitudes: The Role of Acculturation, Help-Seeking Behaviors, and Religiosity
Authors:   , Godhwani Tara Rao
Published: October 2024

The current study examined levels of acculturation, help-seeking behaviors, and religiosity as predictors of South Asian parents' consonance with play therapy attitudes. Participants consisted of 80 South Asian parents living in the United States, who completed a survey consisting of a demographic questionnaire, the Dimensions of Asian American Acculturation and Enculturation Measure (DAAM), the Inventory of Attitudes towards Seeking Mental Health Services (IASMHS), the Religious Attribution Scale (RAS), and the Play Therapy Parent Attitude Questionnaire (PTPAQ). Findings from the study indicated South Asian parents may agree with play therapy attitudes, specifically that the natural language of children is play and a belief that children have the capability to engage in positive self-direction and self-actualization, but also appear to value guidance, instruction, and structure for children by capable adults. A multiple regression analysis measuring the predictive value of acculturation, help-seeking behaviors, and religiosity on South Asian parents in the United States' consonance with play therapy attitudes indicated that religiosity was the only statistically significant predictor, accounting for approximately 92% of the variance in the obtained effect. Thus, religiosity seems to be an overwhelmingly important factor impacting South Asian parents in the United States' consonance with play therapy attitudes. Implications for clinical practice, implications for future research, and limitations of the study are discussed.
Racial Ethnic Discrimination, Social Support and Psychological Distress among College Students of Color: The Moderating Role of Social Dominance Orientation, Collective Coping, and Internalized Racism
Authors:   , Gu Peter
Published: October 2024

Compared to their white counterparts, college students of color often have to deal with extra stressors associated with racial/ethnic (R/E) discrimination. R/E discrimination has been shown to be associated with a variety of negative outcomes, including increased psychological distress. This study aimed to better understand the negative impacts of R/E discrimination on college students of color by examining an indirect effect model in which discrimination affected psychological distress through perceived social support. Further, the moderating roles of three novel variables: social dominance orientation, collective coping, and internalized racism were explored. We predicted that social dominance orientation and collective coping would weaken the positive association between R/E discrimination and psychological distress whereas internalized racism would strengthen this relation. Participants of this study included 239 students of color recruited from a university in the southern United States who completed a research questionnaire measuring relevant variables. Results indicated that experienced discrimination was significantly correlated with elevated psychological distress for students of color and that experienced discrimination was related to diminished social support from family, which in turn, led to greater levels of psychological distress. However, none of the hypothesized moderations was found to be significant. Limitations of the current study, future directions, clinical implications and implications for diversity, equity, and inclusion are discussed.
"A Dance in Memory": A Novel
Authors:   , Garber Madison
Published: October 2024

A Dance in Memory is a speculative fiction novel about two estranged dancers who reunite to choreograph a ballet based on their ill-fated partnership. To discover the truth of what drove them apart, they turn to a futuristic technology that allows them to re-experience their shared memories. This intense and intimate experience challenges their understanding of the past, each other, and the work of art that they craft together.
Ethnic-Racial Socialization, Ethnic-Racial Identity, and Religious Identity in South Asian Americans
Authors:   , Hasan Faraha
Published: October 2024

The current literature suggests that familial ethnic-racial socialization of ethnic-racial minority individuals is significantly associated with various aspects of ethnic-racial identity which in turn, is associated with their psychosocial well-being. However, little research attention has examined this indirect effect path for South Asian American adults. The current research explored the direct and indirect effects of familial ethnic-racial socialization on selected psychosocial well-being variables via ethnic-racial identity and religious identity variables in this understudied group—South Asian American adults. Potential participants were recruited through SONA and social media to complete an online research questionnaire that measured all variables of interest. After the data cleaning procedures and removal of those disqualified, a total of 178 South Asian American adults were included in the final sample for analyses. Hypotheses were investigated using exploratory factor analyses, path analyses, and moderated mediation analyses. Findings identified three specific indirect effect paths of familial ethnic-racial socialization on general self-efficacy and life satisfaction through different ethnic-racial identity and religious identity variables. Additionally, results of the exploratory factor analyses demonstrated that religious identity variables were integral and distinct components in the identity development of South Asian Americans by being a coherent yet distinct factor from the ethnic-racial identity variable. The hypothesized moderator effects of gender, family cohesion, and ethnic-racial composition of current and childhood social network on various paths of the indirect effect model were not significant. Limitations, future directions, and implications for counseling, diversity, and advocacy issues are outlined.
Exploring the Intersection of Physical Inactivity, Emotional Responses on Twitter, and Psychological Factors in Omicron Vaccination Decision-Making during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors:   , Marrapu Satvika
Published: October 2024

This dissertation investigates how physical inactivity as a precursor to well-being, public sentiments on Twitter, and psychological factors interact to influence Omicron vaccination decisions. Essay 1 reviews the impact of physical inactivity during the pandemic on different well-being parameters, showing severe mental, physical, and economic effects. Essay 2 employs natural language processing techniques to understand the sentiment toward Omicron vaccination on Twitter and finds public opinion to be dynamic. Essay 3 furthers the exploration in the research area by looking at the psychological determinants of vaccination attitudes and examines the relationship of attitude with factors like perceived vulnerability, self-efficacy, and social influences. The conclusions of Essay 1 underline the need for interventions to promote physical activity to mitigate adverse health effects. Findings from Essay 2 show a complex interplay of emotions on social media, suggesting the need for adaptive communication strategies. Essay 3 reveals that psychological factors are significant influencers of vaccination decisions and therefore hold policy implications for enhancing vaccine confidence. Together, these studies provide evidence to inform public health strategies regarding physical inactivity, social media sentiment analysis, and psychological drivers of vaccination decision-making. This research shows that taking a comprehensive approach can improve public health outcomes in the face of ongoing and future health crises.
The Emergence of Integrated Airpower: Allied Airpower and Combined Arms Operations on the Western Front in 1918
Authors:   , Roberts Andrew McClain
Published: October 2024

Airpower developed significantly during the First World War while leaders adapted to integrate it into the constantly evolving combined arms system. First World War airpower is often viewed as insignificant in relation to the wider conflict. This generally stems from the perception that airplanes fought in a parallel air war or failed to achieve "decisive" air-to-ground results. These conceptions oversimplify the impact of pursuit and bomber aviation and ignore the monumental role of aerial observation and overall battlefield integration. The true impact of airpower during the war is revealed through the lens of combined arms operations rather than through the examination of airpower as a singular weapon. This study utilizes a layered approach analyzing the ideas, organization, planning, and battlefield execution to assess the integration of airpower into the combined arms systems for the French, British, and American forces on the Western Front in 1918. Each of these armies led an Allied force in a critical battle during the summer of 1918: the Second Battle of the Marne, the Battle of Amiens, and the Battle of Saint-Mihiel. This study chronologically flows through these three battles and reveals that the air element emerged as increasingly synthesized into the modern combined arms systems of 1918.
Element and Event-Based Test Suite Reduction for Android Test Suites Generated by Reinforcement Learning
Authors:   , Alenzi Abdullah Sawdi M.
Published: October 2024

Automated test generation for Andriod apps with reinforcement learning algorithms often produce test suites with redundant coverage. We looked at minimizing test suites that have already been generated based on state–action–reward–state–action (SARSA) algorithms. In this dissertation, we hypothesize that there is room for improvement by introducing novel hybrid approaches that combine SARSA-generated test suites with greedy reduction algorithms following the principle of Head-up Guidance System (HGS™) approach. In addition, we apply an empirical study on Android test suites that reveals the value of these new hybrid methods. Our novel approaches focus on post-processing test suites by applying greedy reduction algorithms. To reduce Android test suites, we utilize different coverage criteria including event-based criterion (EBC), element-based criterion (ELBC), and combinatorial-based sequences criteria (CBSC) that follow the principle of combinatorial testing to generate sequences of events and elements. The proposed criteria effectively decreased the test suites generated by SARSA and revealed a high performance in maintaining code coverage. These findings suggest that test suite reduction using these criteria is particularly well suited for SARSA-generated test suites of Android apps.
Air to Air Channel Modeling for Advanced Air Mobility Services
Authors:   , Das Rochi Sudesna
Published: October 2024

A channel model is a mathematical or conceptual representation employed to describe the behavior and characteristics of a communication channel through which signal or data can be transferred from the transmitter (Tx) to the receiver (Rx) or between two transceivers. In wireless communication, the channel model represents the wireless medium with parameters like pathloss, impulse response, and multipath effects. A2A channel poses various challenges when UAVs operate at a higher altitude greater than 1000 ft (305 m). This thesis involves experiments having a range of altitudes from 20 m to 2 km and distances between two transceivers from 5 m to 3 km. This thesis aims to introduce A2A channel by considering and analyzing inherent channel characteristics such as pathloss in terms of line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS), multipath fading, delay spread, and power delay profile (PDP). These characteristics depend on frequency, altitude of transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx), distance between two transceivers, antenna properties, paths taken by the signals, and obstacles. Pathloss, RMS delay spread, and power delay profile have been discussed with the simulated graphs by varying the distances and altitudes. These channel characteristics have been analyzed for different conditions like varying building heights of the city, changing building material, and also changing both building height and material at the same time. Two empirical models, the EL model and the CI model, have been presented along with simulations. Simulation results using mmWave frequency have been shown. The simulations have been performed by Wireless Insite software.
"Chhau"
Authors:   , Sunuwar Saja
Published: October 2024

My documentary film, Chhau, investigates how chhaupdi is practices in Nepal today. During chhaupdi, woman must isolate themselves during their menstruation, refraining from taking part in daily activities such as preparing meals for the family, having dinner with the family, consume dairy products and going to scared places.
Development of GelMA-Alginate IPN Hydrogel for Establishing an In Vitro Osteoarthritis Model to Screen MMP-13 Inhibitors
Authors:   , Hu Qichan
Published: October 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease characterized by irreversible cartilage degradation. MMP (matrix metalloproteinase) inhibitors represent a new approach to slowing OA progression by addressing cartilage degradation mechanisms. However, the success of preclinical studies failed to be translated into clinical application. One of the possible reasons is that the disease models in preclinical study can't reflect the biological complexity of human disease. Hydrogel-based cartilage constructs as in vitro models have shown promise as preclinical testing platforms due to their enhanced physiological relevance, improved prediction to human response, high-throughput drug screening, and ease of use. Metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) is thought to be a major contributor to the degradation of articular cartilage in OA by aggressively breaking down type II collagen. This study focused on testing MMP-13 inhibitors using a GelMA-alginate hydrogel-based OA model induced by cytokines interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). The results demonstrated a significant inhibition of type II collagen breakdown by measuring C2C concentration using ELISA after treatment with MMP-13 inhibitors. Therefore, the study highlights the GelMA-alginate hydrogel-based OA model as an alternative to human-sourced cartilage explants for in vitro drug screening, which can improve the predictability and relevance of preclinical evaluations of MMP-13 inhibitors for osteoarthritis, thereby complementing existing 2D culture, cartilage explant, and animal model studies and addressing the translational gap observed in clinical trials.
Interactive Scores at the Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA)
Authors: Harkin Treasa
Published: October 2024

English Abstract: Founded in 1987, the Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) is home to the largest, most comprehensive collection of Irish traditional music, song, and dance in the world. Interactive scores are one method used by ITMA to open up the collections to those who cannot read music, as Irish traditional music is primarily an oral tradition. The ITMA Web site is now home to over 10,000 interactive scores taken from out-of-copyright publications and manuscripts. Compositions also feature as interactive scores through the monthly composer series ’Saothar // new compositions for the tradition’. This series highlights the work of a different composer each month and provides a suite of learning resources, including interactive scores, for each composition. French Abstract: Fondées en 1987, les archives de musique traditionnelle irlandaise (ITMA) abritent la plus grande et la plus complète collection de musique, de chansons et de danses traditionnelles irlandaises au monde. Les partitions interactives sont l’une des méthodes utilisées par ITMA pour ouvrir les collections à ceux qui ne savent pas lire la musique, la musique traditionnelle irlandaise étant avant tout une tradition orale. Le site web de l’ITMA propose aujourd’hui plus de 10 000 partitions interactives extraites de publications et de manuscrits non soumis au droit d’auteur. Des compositions sont également présentées sous forme de partitions interactives dans le cadre de la série mensuelle « Saothar // nouvelles compositions pour la tradition ». Cette série met en lumière l’œuvre d’un compositeur différent chaque mois et fournit une série de ressources pédagogiques, y compris des partitions interactives, pour chaque composition. German Abstract: Das 1987 gegründete Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) beherbergt die weltweit größte und umfassendste Sammlung aus traditioneller irischer Musik, Liedern und Tänzen. Da irische traditionelle Musik in erster Linie mündlich überliefert ist, sind interaktive Noten ein Werkzeug, mit dem das ITMA die Sammlungen für diejenigen zugänglich macht, die keine Noten lesen können. Auf der ITMA-Webseite finden sich mittlerweile über 10.000 interaktive Notenausgaben aus urheberrechtlich nicht mehr geschützten Veröffentlichungen und Manuskripten. In der monatli-chen Komponistenreihe „Saothar // neue Kompositionen für die Tradition“ werden auch aktuelle Kompositionen als interaktive Partituren angeboten. Diese Reihe stellt jeden Monat die Arbeit einer/eines Komponistin/Komponisten in den Mittelpunkt und bietet ein Bündel an Lernmaterial für jede Komposition, darunter interaktive Partituren.
What Is a Batey? Origins and Trajectories of an Antillean Concept / ¿Qué es un batey? Orígenes y trayectorias de un concepto antillano
Authors: Kieslinger Julia , Dohardt Raphael , Jansen Silke , Kordel Stefan
Published: October 2024

abstract: This article explores the meaning of the term “batey,” which can be broadly defined as a distinct type of settlement in the Dominican Republic, closely linked to sugar cane cultivation and transnational migration dynamics with Haiti. Drawing on historical documentation, we examine semantic changes in the term, from its pre-Columbian origins through the colonial period to the present. We also present contemporary emic perspectives on what constitutes a batey—views obtained from interviews with inhabitants of 28 Dominican bateyes. Additional information was drawn from (participant) observation in 96 bateyes. From this, we deduced the recent trajectories of bateyes, which fosters our understanding of the interrelated dynamics of rural development, intersecting forms of migration, e.g. domestic and transnational, and the impact of globalization on local communities, as well as the persistent impact of colonialism on local societies and economies. Furthermore, we address power imbalances by taking into account postcolonial perspectives and giving voice to batey inhabitants and migrants. Our findings may serve as a point of departure for further research from a postcolonial perspective on the marginalization and stigmatization of settlements with transnational dynamics. resumen: Esta contribución explora el significado del término batey, que a grandes rasgos puede definirse como un tipo distinto de asentamiento en la República Dominicana, estrechamente vinculado al cultivo de la caña de azúcar y a las dinámicas migratorias transnacionales con Haití. Basándonos en documentación histórica, rastreamos los orígenes de este término hasta la época precolombina y examinamos los cambios semánticos que experimentó durante el periodo colonial. Además, presentamos perspectivas émicas contemporáneas sobre lo que constituye un batey, opiniones obtenidas a través de entrevistas con habitantes de 28 bateyes dominicanos. La información adicional se basa en la observación (participante) en 96 bateyes. Por último, deducimos las trayectorias recientes de los bateyes, lo que fomenta nuestra comprensión de las dinámicas interrelacionadas del desarrollo rural, formas de migración, por ejemplo, nacional y transnacional y el impacto de la globalización en las comunidades locales, así como el impacto persistente del colonialismo en las sociedades y economías locales. Además, abordamos los desequilibrios de poder teniendo en cuenta las perspectivas poscoloniales y dando voz a los habitantes de los bateyes y a los migrantes. Nuestras conclusiones pueden servir de punto de partida para futuras investigaciones desde una perspectiva poscolonial sobre la marginación y estigmatización de asentamientos con dinámicas transnacionales.