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Exploring Refugee Students’ Experiences In Midwest Higher Education Environments: Culturally Responsive Practices For Educators
No full textThis qualitative study examined the teaching and learning strategies used by highereducation faculty to support refugee students at a Midwestern university. Recognizing that refugee students bring diverse cultural, linguistic, and experiential backgrounds to academic environments, this research examined how instructional practices can either promote or hinder their educational success. Traditional teaching methods often fall short in addressing the complex needs of this student population. Using Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth Framework, Bourdieu’s Theory of Cultural Capital, and Resilience Theory, this study analyzed the narratives of refugee students to uncover how their lived experiences influenced their educational journeys. Findings revealed that refugee students will have a better opportunity to excel in learning environments characterized by visual, hands-on, collaborative instruction supported by technology. Their resilience, rooted in histories of trauma, displacement, and transformation, was bolstered by faculty mentorship, inclusive pedagogy, and access to institutional resources. Professors\u27 engagement, cultural awareness, and advocacy played a central role in shaping students\u27 sense of belonging and academic confidence. Nine key themes emerged from the analysis: Purpose: Students were motivated by degree goals and purpose driven learning; Pedagogy: Effective learning occurred through visual and collaborative strategies; Tools: Technology served as a vital bridge to understanding; Support: Students needed access to accommodations and services; Mentorship: Faculty and advisors played a crucial role in academic success; Belonging: Cultural inclusion promoted engagement; Community: Peer networks enhanced the learning experience; Identity: Recognition of individual identities validated students’ presence; and Agency: Students practiced self-advocacy to shape their educational paths. This study concluded that higher education educators must adopt practices that promote equity and a sense of belonging for refugee students
Practices Of North Dakota Vocal Music Educators With Exemplary Implementations Of Culturally Responsive Education
Get PDFThis dissertation explores the culturally responsive practices of exemplary vocal music educators in North Dakota, with a focus on understanding how they implement culturally responsive education in their classrooms. As student populations become increasingly diverse, educators remain predominantly White, leading to cultural disconnects that can hinder student engagement and academic success. Utilizing a qualitative, phenomenological research design framed by culturally responsive music education, this study captures the lived experiences of five vocal music educators identified for their exemplary use of culturally responsive practices. Data collection included semi-structured interviews, analyzed to identify practices, challenges, and impacts on students. Findings reveal that successful educators actively integrate student cultures, incorporate cultural music authentically, collaborate with culture bearers, foster inclusive learning environments, and navigate challenges related to teaching music of different cultures. These educators report improved student engagement, enjoyment of the music making process, and interest in sharing their culture when culturally responsive techniques are employed. The study underscores the need for more comprehensive teacher education in cultural competency and offers recommendations for overcoming barriers to implementing culturally responsive techniques. Implications for teacher training and further research are discussed
Rethinking Pilot Retention In The United States: An Analysis Of Key Factors
Get PDFThis thesis examined pilot retention challenges in U.S. regional and low-cost carriers (LCCs), focusing on nonfinancial incentives such as quality of life, career stability, and work-life balance, which may have a greater influence on retention than traditional financial incentives. This quantitative, survey-based approach assesses how pilots rank the factors that influence their retention. Using a sample of U.S.-based pilots, the study examines six key areas adapted from a European pilot retention framework. Statistical analyses, including the Friedman test, the Mann-Whitney U test, and the Kruskal-Wallis test, identified correlations between demographic variables and retention priorities. The inherent financial constraints of regional airline business models often mean that offered salaries cannot compete with the compensation packages provided by mainline carriers. However, the findings suggest that nonfinancial quality of life factors, such as desirable pilot bases, work-life balance, and predictable schedules, may counterbalance the financial incentives offered by mainline carriers, especially for the younger generation of pilots entering the workforce. Addressing the methodological limitations identified within the study and conducting comprehensive mixed-methods research in the future, will further clarify pilot retention dynamics, offering practical guidance to airline management, policymakers, and labor organizations
Strengthening Traffic Safety Laws On The Crow Indian Reservation
No full textThe Crow Indian reservation is located in south-central Montana. The reservation is one of the largest land-based tribes in Montana, encompassing an area of over three thousand square miles. The reservation borders the state of Wyoming to the south and the Northern Cheyenne Indian reservation to the east. The reservation features a comprehensive transportation system that encompasses tribal, county, state, and federal roadways. Drivers and passengers who travel on these roadways are at higher risk for fatal and severe injury-related motor vehicle crashes than those in other reservations. This situation largely stems from the critical absence of targeted traffic safety laws on the Crow Reservation. This regulatory void not only compromises the safety of residents and travelers alike but also underscores the urgent need for effective measures to protect drivers and passengers on the roads. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that tribes in the United States implement the following traffic safety laws to help reduce the occurrence of fatal and severe injury-related motor vehicle crashes: seat belt usage, child restraint regulations, roadblocks or checkpoints, driver’s licensing, enforcement of speed limits, measures against driving under the influence, prohibitions on careless or reckless driving, insurance mandates, and requirements for accident reporting. The Crow Tribe has not enacted traffic safety laws regarding seatbelts, child restraints, roadblocks or checkpoints, driver’s licenses, and insurance requirements. This two-pronged mixed methods study analyzed motor vehicle crash data for the years 2010-2022 for the Crow Reservation. Several quantitative analyses were conducted on the crash data, focusing on descriptive epidemiology, crash rates, spatial analysis, and categorical and regression tree models. This study also conducted a qualitative examination of the comprehension of traffic safety among members of the Crow tribal community through focus group interviews. There were three focus groups: 13- to 17-year-olds, 18 and older, and current or former tribal law enforcement personnel, tribal court members, and tribal legislators. Each focus group was asked 15 questions about traffic safety laws and their behaviors as drivers or passengers in vehicles on the reservation. The final section of the study presents a proposal for policy development to Crow tribal officials, community members, and federal government staff. The analysis of crash data revealed that the American Indian and Alaska Native population of drivers and passengers traveling within the boundaries of the Crow Reservation experienced a higher incidence of fatal and severe injury-related motor vehicle crashes compared to other tribes in Montana. This trend was evident across several categories, including alcohol test results, driver actions at the time of the crash, driver’s license status, and the use of restraint systems. The focus group results indicated that a majority of participants recognized the need for additional traffic safety laws aimed at protecting both drivers and passengers on the Crow Reservation. Nearly half of the participants reported engaging in high-risk behaviors associated with not wearing a seatbelt. Furthermore, all participants unanimously agreed that the tribe should enact a driver\u27s license law and mandate insurance requirements. The policy development proposal outlines the case for why and how a coalition can be formed to review and propose key traffic safety laws to the Crow Tribal Legislature. The proposal also provides numerous examples of traffic safety laws that are already enacted at other tribes located in the Billings Area Indian Health Service and the Great Plains Area Indian Health Service. These examples will help the coalition discern the diverse legal terminologies used by other tribes. By gathering and analyzing these details, the coalition aims to craft a robust and comprehensive traffic law that it can present to the Crow tribal legislature, ensuring that the proposal is both effective and culturally relevant
Synthesis And Characterization Of Additive Manufactured Functional Composites For Biomedical Applications
Get PDFThis dissertation investigates the synthesis and characterization of 3D printed polymer composites, with engineered porosity and both natural and synthetic additives, using fused deposition modeling (FDM) and selective laser sintering (SLS) for potential biomedical applications. The structural, mechanical, tribological, and surface behavior of these composites were evaluated with respect to their suitability for orthopedic load-bearing implants and scaffolds. In the first phase, PEEK-based composites reinforced with 10 or 20 wt% carbon fibers or 20 wt% E-glass fibers were fabricated using FDM with varying infill densities of 30-100% to introduce porosity. Results revealed that loading additives, infill densities, and porosity play a critical role on the mechanical properties, often leading to reduced strength. Increasing additive loading and porosity was observed to increase the hydrophobicity of PEEK with 20% carbon fiber composites at 30% infill exhibiting the highest contact angle of ~111.1°. In the second phase, SLS printed nylon 12 (polyamide 12 (PA 12)) composites reinforced with 5 and 10 vol% laver seaweed, dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), and hydroxyapatite (HA) were fabricated and characterized. Composites with engineered microchannels of ~500-550 µm and porosity of ~50-60% were analyzed for their sintering quality, microstructural, mechanical, hydrophilic, tribological, and bioactive properties. Additive loadings of 5% DDGS, 1% HA, and 5 and 10% laver enhanced mechanical strength while preserving dimensional stability and sintering quality. Higher loading of DDGS and HA led to warping and reduced sintering quality and mechanical strength. All additives enhanced moisture affinity, with 5% laver and 10% HA composites completely absorbing water droplets, indicating wettability favorable for cell attachment and fluid exchange. Under DDI water and SBF lubricated sliding, all additive systems showed a reduction in friction and wear with low coefficients of friction and wear rates. Surface analysis indicated lower abrasive wear in laver and DDGS reinforced composites compared to HA reinforced composites. Additionally, the addition of HA and laver were found to promote apatite formation in SBF. Overall, these studies offer strategies for designing additive-reinforced polymer composites using additive manufacturing for enhanced mechanical, tribological, and biological performance suitable for biomedical applications such as orthopedic implants and scaffolds
Dynamic Mechanical Motor Commutation Correction
No full textEven though there are more efficient alternatives, direct current (DC) brush motors are widely used in industry due to their simplicity, reliability, and controllability. One aspect of these motors that drives the inefficiency is armature reaction. Armature reaction refers to the distortion of the magnetic field caused by the armatures magnetic field. This phenomenon contributes to significant efficiency losses during operation of the motor.This thesis investigates a novel design that mechanically corrects for the effects of armature reaction on the efficiency of DC brush motors. The research conducted includes analytical modeling, finite element analysis (FEA), and experimental testing to determine the impact that the novel design has affecting the efficiency loss of the motor due to armature reaction. The theoretical work is developed from fundamental electromagnetic equations governing DC motors. Simulated magnetic fields and empirical data are then compared to evaluate the models and identify any potential room for improvement on the design of the dynamic mechanical commutation correction device. Results indicate that as load current increases the system is capable of automatically offsetting the brush lead angle to minimize the effects of the magnetic field distortion. This causes measurable increases in generated torque and efficiency for a dynamic range of load settings. This not only increases the efficiency of the motor but also decreases the wear on components such as the motor brushes due to the reduction in bEMF causing arcing between the commutator and the brushes
Integration Of Fluorescence Imaging And Advanced Analytical Techniques For Reliable Contamination Detection
No full textEffective surface contamination detection in food processing and healthcare environments is hindered by the limitations of visual inspection and ATP bioluminescence testing, both of which struggle to identify thin, transparent, or spatially irregular organic residues. These constraints contribute to inconsistent hygiene verification and create a need for objective, scalable, and real-time detection methods capable of operating under variable environmental conditions.
This dissertation develops an integrated framework that combines UV-induced fluorescence imaging with advanced analytical techniques to improve contamination detection reliability. A UV/UVC fluorescence imaging system was engineered with synchronized pulsed excitation (275 nm, 365 nm, 405 nm), adaptive exposure control, and real-time background subtraction to enhance signal visibility across ambient lighting conditions ranging from 2 to 22 foot-candles. Imaging performance was further strengthened through a noise-aware deep learning strategy in which YOLOv8 segmentation models were trained using synthetic Gaussian, Poisson, and stripe-pattern noise that reflected photon-limited UVC imaging conditions. These augmentations substantially increased robustness, preserving accurate contamination detection even under severe noise interference.
To benchmark imaging-based detection against established sanitation practices, fluorescence-derived intensity and texture features were correlated with ATP Relative Light Units (RLUs). A TabNetClassifier was trained using stratified group cross-validation, achieving high sensitivity (\u3e86%), strong specificity (\u3e90%), and stable performance across five folds. Statistical analyses, including hypothesis testing, effect size estimation, ROC evaluation, and calibration assessment, confirmed the discriminative strength and reliability of the model. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) demonstrated minimal systematic bias across surface materials and imaging parameters, supporting the consistency of predictions under varied conditions.
The results show that integrating optimized fluorescence imaging with noise-aware deep learning and tabular machine learning provides a reliable, non-contact, and scalable alternative to ATP testing. The developed workflow, GLOW-DL, enhances contamination detection accuracy and operational robustness, offering a practical pathway toward real-time hygiene monitoring in food service, manufacturing, and healthcare environments
Enabling Truck Platooning On Rural Highways: Infrastructure, Safety, And Operational Readiness
No full textTruck platooning the coordinated operation of multiple heavy trucks at close spacing using vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication is a promising freight innovation with potential to enhance fuel efficiency, roadway safety, and traffic flow. However, nationwide implementation remains constrained by fragmented legislation, uneven infrastructure capability, and limited institutional coordination. This study examines the infrastructure, safety, and operational readiness required to enable truck platooning across rural highway systems in the United States, using Montana as a representative context.A multi-method approach was adopted, integrating legislative analysis, infrastructure evaluation, and an expert-based survey of transportation professionals representing state departments of transportation, academia, metropolitan planning organizations, and freight operators. The survey, administered via Qualtrics on a seven-point Likert scale, captured expert perceptions of roadway adequacy, Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) coverage, enforcement frameworks, and technological preparedness. Descriptive statistics, reliability testing, and exploratory factor analysis (KMO = 0.621) were conducted to uncover key dimensions of readiness. Six latent factors were extracted, reflecting the primary domains influencing platooning feasibility: pavement deterioration, required modifications, traffic management and data integration, ITS adequacy and maintenance readiness, geometric design readiness, and institutional and societal preparedness. Results indicate that experts perceive current infrastructure and communication systems as insufficient to support safe and efficient platoon operations, particularly on rural and secondary highways. Interstates were viewed as more geometrically suitable, yet technological and enforcement deficiencies persist. High Cronbach’s alpha values (0.78–0.93) confirmed strong internal consistency among constructs, underscoring the reliability of expert judgments. Collectively, the findings highlight that enabling truck platooning will require targeted upgrades to ITS infrastructure, improved coordination between regulatory agencies, and harmonized operational policies across states. The study concludes that infrastructure modernization and institutional collaboration are essential precursors to large-scale platooning deployment. Its insights provide transportation agencies with a structured framework for assessing readiness, prioritizing investments, and guiding future policy development to facilitate connected and automated freight systems on U.S. rural highways
Impacts Of Intensifying Wildfires On Boreal Forest Ecosystems: Exploring Forest Regeneration, Wildlife Habitats, Carbon Storage, And Engineering Solutions
No full textWildfire activity across Alaska’s boreal forests has intensified in severity and frequency in recent decades, altering one of Earth’s most significant sources of carbon sequestration (Pan et al, 2011). This thesis examines how wildland burns influence post-fire carbon sink capacities and vegetation recovery near Fairbanks, Alaska. Three fire sites were selected to represent distinct successional stages: the 2006 Parks Highway Fire, the 2013 Stuart Creek 2 Fire, and the 2022 Clear Fire. Each site was evaluated through a combination of remote sensing analysis, LiDAR-derived canopy height data, and field measurements collected within each burn perimeter, developing a replicable framework for assessing post-fire carbon dynamics in boreal ecosystems. Above-ground biomass (AGB) was estimated using established relationships between canopy height, vegetation density, and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), and then converted to above-ground carbon (AGC). Preliminary results suggest a correlation between the time since burn and dominant vegetation. The 2013 Stuart Creek 2 plots displayed heterogeneous vegetative recovery, influenced by slope and soil moisture, while the 2022 Clear Fire remains dominated by early successional vegetation. This research aims to investigate how wildfires affect Alaska’s boreal forests, and their role in potentially shifting forests away from functioning as reliable long-term carbon sinks. Although multiple reforestation strategies could improve this shifting dynamic, this study focuses on targeted reforestation with stabilizing vegetation. This forest management strategy has the potential not only to prevent future wildfires in an area but also to decrease the burn temperature and depth, thereby providing other species with a larger window to develop and reach maturation between fires
Exploratory Study Of Relationships Between Law Students\u27 Well-Being, Academic Success, And Perceptions Of Passing The Bar Exam And Admission
No full textThis study explores the experiences of law students that impact their perception of being prepared for the Bar Exam and Bar admission. Analyzing the stressors law students face during law school reveals the essential need to incorporate the eight dimensions of well-being into curricular, co-curricular, and extra-curricular activities for students to flourish as they prepare for post-graduation success. Using the data from the 2021 Survey of Law Student Well-Being, which surveyed 5,865 law students from thirty-nine ABA-accredited law schools, a three-factor model was created to group students’ concerns into academic and health concerns, social and environmental concerns, and well-being behavioral concerns. Using regression analysis, the factors were used to determine impacts on Grade Point Average (GPA), confidence in seeking help for concerns, and specific student demographic groups. Students\u27 well-being issues during law school can affect their GPA and who they can turn to for help. The findings of this study point out the need for programming and resources to be provided starting during orientation and beyond, fostering proactive habits for students to learn