Electronic Thesis or Dissertation

Through this research, I provide quantitative evidence on the use of gender identity pronouns in business communication as it relates to sexual stigma theory and psychological safety theory in the workplace. This theoretically grounded, empirical investigation uncovers what impact, if any, psychological safety has on the use of gender identity pronouns in the workplace. My research measures the degree to which respondents feel psychologically safe enough to use their gender identity pronouns in a work context and which other factors (such as age cohort or the sociopolitical leanings of the company where they work) impact their decision to do so.

This thesis seeks to explore the misconception that arises when viewing Christianity as the source of enslavement or White supremacy. Focusing specifically on the nineteenth-century Antebellum era, This Thesis investigates the primary texts of Harriet Jacobs, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl and Fredrick Douglass, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave, Written by Himself—two prominent Christians of their time—to juxtapose the teachings and practices of their captors with the actual Biblical text. This thesis seeks to explore and complicate the common narrative that has falsely implicated Christianity as a tool of oppression.

Metabolic dysfunction can present in conditions like cancer and neurodegeneration. Optical imaging techniques were employed to assist in the diagnosis and understanding of disease pathologies. A cryomesoscopy modality was designed and incorporated into an imaging device to investigate metabolic biomarkers. The new lens design provided higher magnifications and resolution of tissue data. The improved imaging capabilities gave detailed access to structural and biochemical changes that occur in disease progression. Cryomesoscopy was applied to study mitochondrial redox state in preclinical models of Alzheimer’s and cancer. The optical imaging tools were utilized to visualize the livers and kidneys of mutated mice and investigate their metabolic states. The results in both investigations revealed oxidized metabolic states, a marker of oxidative stress and metabolic dysfunction. The cryomesoscopy system has proven instrumental in quantifying metabolic shifts and offers new insights into disease pathologies. Optical imaging can be applied to understanding metabolic mechanisms in many diseases.

When viewing advertisements, one could be exposed to new information about the product. During that time, one could construct ad hoc categories or simple attributes for the brand-name product. The current experiment used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure bilateral frontal and temporal cortices to understand the contribution of constructing ad hoc categories and simple attributes on purchase intentions. The current experiment also examined the feasibility of using the tensor decomposition method compared to the grand averaging method in multidimensional fNIRS signal analysis. This is to see if tensor decomposition can maintain the pattern of hemodynamic response without losing the temporal dynamics and spatial array to find a more optimized time and regions of interest to average across. The current experiments consisted of two parts: 1) participants studied brand-name products for various ad hoc categories (Experiment 1) or various simple attributes (Experiment 2) and 2) pick for purchase brand-name products in a two-alternative forced choice purchase intention test. Three methods were used to analyze the hemodynamic response data: the grand averaging method, the tensor decomposition method, and the revised grand averaging method. The revised grand averaging method is the same as the grand averaging method but uses information from the tensor decomposition method to inform what time and channel to average across. There were behavioral priming benefits compared to products that were not studied. However, there were no differences across the study conditions. Results revealed processing benefits, not purchasing benefits, for brand-name products studied for different simple attributes as marked by changes in the left prefrontal cortex. The results from tensor decomposition revealed more details on the time and channels of interest than the grand averaging method. Findings suggest that studying different simple attributes of a brand-name product produces benefits in the purchase intention process. Also, findings suggest tensor decomposition is a feasible method for fNIRS signal analysis.

Deep injection well technology is a reliable and cost-effective technique to manage hazardous wastewater. However, reduced injectivity is an issue for the performance of an injection well which can happen due to the occurrence of biogeochemical clogging. A class 1 deep injection well located at the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County has long suffered similar problems that occurred due to the formation of chemical precipitation and biofilm. In the case of the biofilm, the dominant microorganism detected in previous work was determined to be Entamoeba dispar. The prime source of the protozoan was identified as the local groundwater, which is employed for different purposes within the solid waste facility, such as cooling water and dilution water. Therefore, it is imperative to examine the effectiveness of the commonly used disinfectant chlorine to inactivate the protozoan to eliminate biofilms and clogging. This study conducted a laboratory-based chlorination of the groundwater sample to reveal the required dosages of chlorine needed for 3.0-log inactivation of E. dispar in various temperature (20°C, 25°C, 30°C, and 35°C) and pH (6.5, 7.0, 7.5) conditions.

Previous research has demonstrated the deleterious effects of romantic relationship breakup on the self-concept and post-dissolution outcomes (Cope & Mattingly, 2021). However, individual differences in newly validated identity orientations (i.e., the preference to expand or conserve one’s sense of self; Hughes et al., 2020) may influence identity recovery. The current studies examined the influence of self-expansion preference on self-concept clarity and identity restoration mechanisms (i.e., relationship rekindling) following relationship dissolution using cross sectional (Study 1), intensive longitudinal (Study 2), and dynamical (Study 3) methods. Across studies, self-expansion preference emerged as a trait-level predictor of post-breakup experiences including self-concept clarity, distress, and relationship rekindling desire. Implications for individual experiences of romantic relationship dissolution are discussed.

This empirical study examines decision-making in project selection in the face of overwhelming flood infrastructure needs and inadequate resources, particularly in vulnerable communities. The motivation for this study is to explore the interconnectedness between socioeconomic dimensions and environmental risks in the decision-making process for selecting projects. The study evaluates the Palm Beach County project selection framework and the impact of multi-criteria decision-making on project selection by proposing a new framework. The new project selection framework emphasizes the integration of flood risk and social vulnerability index criteria to evaluate the relationship between the new criteria in the decision-making framework and project selection.
The analysis is comprised of 24 models grouped into three distinct groups and compared using paired t-tests. The analysis reveals that of the three groups, the group which incorporates both flood risks and social vulnerability criteria consistently outperforms the others, demonstrating its effectiveness in providing a more equitable investment for vulnerable communities that are more susceptible to floods. The findings provide valuable insights and recommendations for practitioners and scholars, emphasizing the need for a theoretical framework with objectivity to guide optimal infrastructure investments for decision makers.

This thesis, drawn from my experience as a visual designer who recently moved to the United States, focuses on design expression as a means to bridge cultures. My aim is to clarify the complex connection between design expression and cultural integration, emphasizing the essential part that design plays in promoting significant cross-cultural interactions. To reveal the complex relationships that exist in design and cultural identity, I go beyond aesthetics and investigate how design may be used to comprehend and communicate cultural identity. Language serves as a means of expressing cultural identity, values, and traditions. Using poetry, quotes, and idioms in both Farsi and English as inspiration, I create interactive messages that illustrate the difficulties of bridging two languages and cultures. My overarching goal is to promote inclusive and culturally aware design approaches, fostering meaningful communication and cross-cultural understanding.

During the transition into adolescence, peer relations become increasingly important and peer influence grows, commensurate with changes in the child’s social world. Previous findings indicate that youth with relatively fewer reciprocated friendships are particularly susceptible to influence in dyadic settings, raising the possibility that friendedness may also heighten susceptibility to group influence. The current study examined the hypothesis that a lack of reciprocated friendships increases susceptibility to academic and behavioral peer group norms because youth with few friends are eager to increase affiliative opportunities and minimize the risk of being perceived as social misfits.
Participants were 419 (204 girls, 215 boys) middle school (5th-7th; M=12.01 years old) Lithuanian students in 23 classes. Students identified up to five friends from a class roster. Adolescents were classified into two groups based on friendedness: few (i.e., 0-1; n=169) over several (i.e., 2 or more; n=250) reciprocated friendships. Self-reports of conduct problems, school burnout, and school grades were collected twice during an academic year (M=12.3 weeks apart). Academic achievement, disruptiveness, physical aggression, and popularity were assessed through peer nominations. Status-based norms were calculated as within-classroom correlations between peer reports of popularity and each target outcome. Descriptive norms (means and medians) were calculated as classroom averages and medians of each target outcome. Multilevel models examined whether friendedness moderated associations between norms (status-based and descriptive) and changes in target outcomes.

The Design and Development of a remote attitude-measuring sensor package (RASP) for use onboard an underwater tow fish to analyze its dynamic movement while towing is described. The RASP will be used to determine the orientation, acceleration, and gyroscopic attitude of the tow fish. The collection of this data is important for understanding the trim of the tow fish under different towing conditions behind a manned surface vessel or unmanned underwater vehicle. The trim data acquired will inform the extent to which post-processing of collected three-axis electromagnetic field data would be required. The RASP has been analyzed in the laboratory with a mechanical testing rig that was designed and built to validate the accuracy and performance of the entire sensor package system. The developed package will aid in the assessment of the performance of the tow fish in field operations with the sensor package implemented on the tow fish.