Digital Commons Network^™

Sex Differences In Carbohydrate Quality: Assessing The Carbohydrate-To-Fiber Ratio In Middle-Aged Hispanic Adults, Cristina Graña Gedrange, Mia I. Perez, Marcela Guadiana, Nicole Cantu, Jose M. Moris

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Hispanic adults in the United States face disproportionate rates of cardiometabolic disease, yet sex-specific disparities in diet quality remain understudied. PURPOSE: To determine diet quality among middle-aged Hispanic adults, assessing carbohydrate quality based on the carbohydrate-to-fiber ratio (CFR) and protein density as indicators of metabolic risk. METHODS: A total of 30 males and 49 females between 40 to 70 years old participated in a cross-sectional analysis of body composition and dietary behavior. Participants underwent girth measurements, a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan, and completed a paper-based 3-day dietary recall log. Dietary data were manually entered by researchers using an …

Accelerated Skeletal And Cardiometabolic Decline In Hispanic Women Versus Stability In Men During Mid-Life, Camila Guadiana, Grecia V. Morales, Marianna Gamboa, Jose M. Moris

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Mid-life represents a critical physiological juncture where skeletal and metabolic health often diverge. While Hispanic adults are known to face elevated risks for both osteoporosis and cardiometabolic disease, the specific temporal synchronization of these declines, particularly the concurrent acceleration of bone loss and visceral adiposity, remains understudied in this population. PURPOSE: To examine sex-specific differences in body composition, bone mineral density (BMD, g/cm²), and blood pressure across three mid-life decades (40s, 50s, 60s) in Hispanic adults. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 100 Hispanic adults (36 men and 64 women) from Laredo, TX, stratified into age groups 40-49, 50-59, …

Beyond The Scale: Exercise Frequency Reflects Metabolic Health Independent Of Adiposity, Macilynn E. Coles, Nicole Cipriano, Diana Kolb, Ross Moody, Martin R. Lindley, Sarah Deemer

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Physical activity (PA) is an important determinant of metabolic health, yet individuals with similar body mass can differ in metabolic function. Frequency of aerobic (AT) and/or strength training (ST) may differentiate metabolically healthy from unhealthy individuals, independent of body composition. PURPOSE: To compare AT and ST frequency among metabolically healthy lean (MHL), and metabolically healthy (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy (MUO) adults with obesity. METHODS: 59 men and women arrived at the Applied Physiology Lab following an overnight fast (0700h-0900h). Metabolic health (MH) status was assessed by cardiometabolic disease (CMD) history, resting blood pressure (BP), lipid profile, and fasting and 2h …

Fatigue-Matched Three Different Squats Elicit Blood Lactate Responses In Young Adults, Jiwon Song, Kase Pennartz, Wonjae Lee, Sarah Deemer, Jakob Vingren, David Church, Joshua L. Keller

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Resistance exercise (RE) with blood flow restriction (BFR) promotes muscle hypertrophy, using low external loads and may also improve cognitive function and neuroplasticity, possibly by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Lactate accumulation during exercise has been proposed as a potential mediator of exercise-induced increases in BDNF. However, it is unclear whether different RE loading strategies or BFR under fatigue-matched conditions produce distinct lactate responses that could differentially influence downstream neurotrophic mechanisms. PURPOSE: This study examined blood lactate responses for high-load (HL), low-load (LL), and LL-BFR RE in recreationally active young adults. METHODS: Sixteen healthy, recreationally active young adults …

Do Body Composition And Cardiovascular Fitness Differ By Gender In Firefighters?, Giuliet L. Kibler, Kelly Hines, Michael J. Conner, Lisa C. Colvin, Steven E. Martin, Drew E. Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Firefighters (FF) endure substantial cardiovascular stress during their occupational tasks; yet, males and females differ in cardiovascular fitness (CRF) due to biological factors. The differences in body composition (BC) and CRF among FFs remain unclear. PURPOSE: To compare gender-specific outcomes in body BC and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) of FF. METHODS: BC assessments via BIA and CPET on a cycle ergometer for 509 FF were analyzed from annual clinical testing. Gender was self-reported as follows: female (n = 29), male (n = 476), or other (n = 4). BC metrics, including body fat, lean body mass, skeletal muscle …

How Do Firefighters Differ Between Years Of Fire Service Experience: Part 1 - Physical Fitness Profiles, Ian Bivins, Michael J. Conner, Jacob A. Mota, Payton Miller, Steven E. Martin, Lisa C. Colvin, Drew Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Firefighters (FF) face a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) due to aging, job-related stress, and irregular physical activity. Years of experience (YXP) in the fire service have been shown to have a unique impact on FF health and performance; however, profiling the differences between those with less or more YXP has not yet been assessed. PURPOSE: To examine years of experience-related differences in conventional physical fitness parameters among FFs. METHODS: Archival data from annual clinical testing of 142 FFs were analyzed. Groups were defined as those with 5 YXP. General linear models (GLM) were used for multivariate …

Evaluating Self-Reported Dietary Habits And Barriers Among Rotc Cadets Across Body Mass Index Classifications, Sarah E. Johnson, Sheyla Leon, Michael Conner, Lisa Colvin, Steven Martin, Stella Volpe, Drew Gonzalez

International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings

Limited data exist on the overall and sports nutrition knowledge among Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets across different body mass index (BMI) categories. PURPOSE: We aimed to study ROTC cadets' dietary habits and barriers across BMI groups. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were obtained from 184 ROTC cadets regarding validated questionnaires, such as the Perceived Barriers to Healthy Eating (PBHE), Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ), and Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants-Short Version (REAPS). The cadets were stratified into body mass index (BMI) groups: underweight (RESULTS: Chi-square analyses showed BMI-related differences in responses to REAPS' breakfast skipping question (χ²=14.289, p=0.027, V=0.199), …

Gender Differences In College Students’ Physical Activity Self-Efficacy, Social Comparison Beliefs, And External Frames Of Reference, Ken Murfay, Sarah Pyszczynski, Sarah Collins

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

This study examined whom college-aged individuals believe observing would more likely increase their physical activity self-efficacy (PASE) for a physical skill, whom they are more likely to compare their abilities to within a physical education (PE) class, how often they compare themselves to others in PE, and what students’ PASE scores were. Based on the mean scores for each question, students were more likely to compare themselves to a student than a teacher, friend than a non-friend, and similar or higher skilled peer than a lower skilled peer. To increase students’ confidence for a physical skill, students had higher levels …

2025 And 2026 - Faculty & Staff Research Symposium - Mini, Elizabeth Outka, Lidia Radi

Faculty and Staff Research Symposium Programs

September 26, 2025; November 7, 2025; January 20, 2026; and, February 20, 2026

[Excerpt from the "Welcome"]

"Dear Colleagues,

Welcome to the Faculty and Staff Mini-Symposia Series!

As we gather for the fourth and final installment of this year’s Mini-Symposia Series, we are delighted to continue this new chapter of the Faculty and Staff Research Symposium, building on the extraordinary enthusiasm of the past two years. What began as a single day of conversation and exchange has grown into a cycle of events designed to highlight the intellectual and creative work of our community in even more accessible and collaborative …

2026 February 17 - Medical Student Education Committee Minutes, Medical Student Education Committee, East Tennessee State University

Medical Student Education Committee Minutes

No abstract provided.

More Hours, More Work: Head Start Expansions Boost Maternal Employment, Chloe R. Gibbs, Esra Kose, Maria Rosales Rueda

Upjohn Institute Working Papers

Women’s employment remains highly sensitive to childcare constraints, making childcare availability a critical lever for supporting mothers’ labor force attachment. We study the effects of expanded full-day programming in Head Start, using the 2016 federal funding initiative that targeted grantees with low full-day enrollment. Linking administrative program data, geo-coded center locations, and household data on employment, we estimate a difference-in-differences design by comparing mothers of young children in treated and untreated areas. The policy increased full-day enrollment by 19 percent and raised single mothers’ employment (1.9%), hours (2.5%), and earnings (6.5%). Results show that extending program duration meaningfully improves maternal …

A Learning Model For Effective Literacy Instruction In Diverse Papuan Contexts, E. Oos M. Anwas, Anggi Afriansyah, Muhammad Mulyadi, Dwi Purwoko, Zulfikri Anas, Virgiawan Listanto, Dini Dwi Kusumaningrum, Fikri Muslim, Dayu Rifanto

The Qualitative Report

This study seeks to address the persistent challenge of low literacy rates among Papuan primary school children by answering the research question: What factors hinder literacy development, and how can a holistic learning model improve literacy outcomes in this context? Conducted in Keerom and South Manokwari Regencies, the research adopts a qualitative approach to design an inclusive and effective learning model. The study involved a multi-stakeholder approach, engaging primary school students, educators (teachers and principals), parents, community leaders (village heads, religious leaders, and traditional leaders), government officials (education office and local government), legislative representatives (DPRD members), and academic experts from …

Consequences Of Time Poverty Due To Work Intensification: Lived Experiences Of High School Teachers, John Manning, Lisa Reason

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

This qualitative study sought to explore teachers’ lived experiences with work intensification in a public high school. Apple’s teacher work intensification thesis was used as a framework to evaluate how organizational conditions, time poverty, and job demands contribute to increasing complexity in teachers’ work as well as how they mediate their own responses to it. The research explored the lived experiences of 10 public high school teachers as they managed their perceived feelings of time poverty alongside increasing job demands. Data was collected through interviews, reflective journals, and a qualitative survey. Analysis strategies included in vivo coding, horizontalization, triangulation, and …

Adolescent Drug Use Prevention Programs Published 2013-2023: A Systematic Review Of Literature Reviews And Meta-Analyses, Marilyn A. Rhames, Jon Eckert, William L. Sterrett, Grant Morgan

Journal of Organizational & Educational Leadership

Background: This systematic review of reviews and meta-analyses provides education leaders with ten years of evidence-based strategies for effective adolescent substance use prevention. Methods: Following the PRISMA 2020 protocol for systematic reviews, we searched the PubMed and PsychINFO databases on October 19, 2023, and identified 96 systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses involving adolescent drug use prevention from 2103-2023. Twenty-four papers met the criteria for final inclusion. Results: Educational leaders should know three areas to deliver effective evidence-based adolescent substance prevention: 1) foundational understanding of risk and protective factors, 2) components of effective prevention programs, and 3) drug-specific …

Linking Illinois High School To College Data And Beyond, Benjamin Boer

Reports, Analyses, and other Publications

This brief examines the challenges and opportunities in linking high school, postsecondary, and workforce data in Illinois. Despite significant investments in education pathways, career programs, and dual credit initiatives, there is no central source of data showing whether Illinois high school graduates are enrolling in college, persisting through their programs, and securing quality employment. The brief explores why data linking is technically and structurally challenging, reviews existing efforts at state and national levels, and provides specific recommendations for improving data infrastructure. Using the STAMP (Scaling Transformative Advanced Manufacturing Pathways) program as a case study, the authors demonstrate how linked data …

Curriculum Materials Cataloged For Browsing, Michelle Emanuel

Library Publications

When the University of Mississippi Libraries acquired a collection of state-adopted school textbooks for K-12 from its School of Education, a decision was made to catalog the collection for browsing to anticipate the needs of its primary users, both “in service” and “pre-service” teachers. The textbooks would be grouped according to their grade level, and cuttered by subject area, instead of being classed according to its subject area. As the collection would be integrated into the regular circulating collection, and not into a curriculum materials center, issues arose for both technical services and access services throughout the process, from cataloging …

Early Learning Across Decades: Advances In Measuring Head Start Effectiveness, Chloe R. Gibbs

Upjohn Institute Working Papers

The Head Start program, launched in 1965 and targeted to children from disadvantaged backgrounds, remains the largest early childhood care and education (ECE) program in the United States and the only one deployed at the federal level. As such, the Head Start literature spans several decades and now allows for synthesis of findings from different contexts, time periods, and research designs. This paper provides a comprehensive assessment of the rigorous evidence measuring Head Start’s effects on children, their families, and society. The focus is on how (1) the contrast between program and counterfactual conditions, (2) takeup of the program among …

Critical Student Agency In An Integrated Social Studies Unit, Bolaji Bamidele, Kristin A. Searle

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Student Research

Background: Research has highlighted the value of centering student voices and agency in classroom contexts, yet few curricula explicitly foreground critical agency in their design. This qualitative case study examines how students enact agency within an integrated curriculum that combines computer science, social studies, and Indian Education for All (IEFA) standards. The unit focused on tribal sovereignty and why treaties still matter for indigenous people today, enabling students to connect their lived experiences to broader sociopolitical contexts. Data were collected through classroom observations, student and teacher interviews, and student artifacts. Results: Analysis revealed that students performed agency in three interrelated …

How Does Johnson & Wales University In Providence Combat Food Insecurity On Campus For Its Students?, Ava Zajczenko

Interdisciplinary Studies: Student Publications

Across the United States, an increasing number of people are becoming food insecure, and a part of this population are college students. With tuition, housing, books, and personal expenses, college students have a large financial burden placed on them when they enter college. Johnson & Wales University is a private university with a prestigious culinary program. With food being at the forefront of many students, professors, and chef instructors’ minds at JWU, this raises the question: How does Johnson & Wales University in Providence address food insecurity on campus for its students? JWU already has multiple resources that exist on …

Impacts Of Literacy Programming During The Covid-19 And Recovery School Years, Julie Meredith

The Rural Educator

While numerous articles and research reports have focused on understanding the impact of COVID-19 recovery interventions on students in urban and rural schools, fewer have addressed the impact of school closures and efforts to recover lost learning time on children in rural schools. Children in rural areas faced challenges similar to their peers in urban and suburban areas, but infrastructure challenges in many rural places, such as lack of broadband, required tailored approaches guided by educators’ knowledge and connection to their communities. This article examines the impact of Save the Children’s school-age literacy program, supported by 21st Century Community Learning …

Unl Emeriti And Retirees Association Newsletter, February 2026

UNL Emeriti and Retirees Association: Newsletters and Other Materials

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Emeriti and Retirees Association Newsletter, February 2026>

Message from the ERA President, Vicki Highstreet

Thank you to former ERA President, Pam Edwards

Welcome to new members

Introducing a new ERA member: Ellen Paparozzi

ERA 65th anniversary

Organizational development plan

Funding opportunity

Wisherd awards

Wake up your well-being

mini-grant update

State of long-term care in Nebraska

Announcements and notices

Upcoming programming

Programming recap

Memory moments

The Voices Of Educators And Elders: Examining A Supplemental Educational Program Through A Culturally Responsive Lens In Gullah Geechee And African American Communities, Kelly D. Shelton

Dissertations

African American students in South Carolina experience historical educational suppression (Anderson, 1988; Bowers et al., 2018; Fabel, 2019). This qualitative case study investigated how the use of African Diaspora and Gullah Geechee culture in supplemental education programs supported the academic success of youth. Using a culturally and historically responsive literacy and critical race theoretical framing (Gay, 2013; Hammond, 2015; Ladson-Billings, 2014; Ladson-Billings & Tate, 1997; Mills, 1997; Muhammad, 2020), this study captured the voices and insights of community elders and program directors of The Village Group, that makes use of Gullah Geechee cultural, academic, and vocational practices to engage and …

Fighting The Black Snake: The Dapl And The Case For Indigenous Environmental Stewardship, Kenny Moll

Student Theses 2015-Present

This thesis analyzes the current scope of environmental injustice on Native lands in the U.S. Specifically it examines The Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) and its impacts on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North Dakota. Western colonialism and capitalism have dominated North American ecosystems since their forcible introduction hundreds of years ago, causing the commodification of natural resources and leading to injustices such as that of the “Black Snake.” However, the story of The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s resistance will be analyzed through the framework of Indigenous philosophy and environmental justice. Chapter 1 analyzes the implementation of the DAPL and …

Nsu Florida Undergraduate Student Catalog 2025-2026, Nova Southeastern University

Undergraduate Programs Course Catalogs

No abstract provided.

What's New With Journal Subscriptions And Open Access Fee Waivers (2026), Rebecca Bealer Mlis, Lsu Health Libraries

Library Instruction

2026 brings a few changes to journals and fee waivers offered by the Library. We will cover journals added and cancelled, as well as continuing and new open access and fee waiver agreements. Recorded session from the information session that took place on January 28, 2026.

Correlation Analysis Of Factors Associated With Students’ Numeracy Skills Using Decision Tree Algorithms, Yenita Roza, Arisman Adnan, Zul Indra, Tuti Alawiyah

Numeracy

Numeracy is a critical competency for academic and everyday functioning. This study investigates the key factors associated with students’ numeracy skills by employing decision tree algorithms as a data mining technique. The dataset used in this study is educational assessment data from Indonesia. Utilizing a dataset comprising 6,953 entries and 60 variables from Education Report, the research adopts an exploratory approach involving data preprocessing, exploratory data analysis, and decision tree model construction. The findings reveal that students’ literacy skills serve as the most dominant predictor of numeracy proficiency, emerging as the root node in the decision tree structure. Additional associated …

Training On "Learn The Signs. Act Early." In Head Start And Early Head Start Shows Ineffective Without Supporting Implementation Policy, Kayla Livingston, Mary O'Donnell, Kate G. Barlow

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Early identification and intervention for children with developmental delays improves child outcomes, yet many children are not monitored, screened, or identified early despite its effectiveness. The relationship between the use of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” developmental monitoring program and referrals to intervention services is not well understood. This study investigated how “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” implementation practices within Massachusetts’ Head Start and Early Head Start agencies correlated with the rate of referrals to intervention services. Researchers utilized a non-experimental quantitative design. Secondary data on referral rates from Head Start and Early …

A Phenomenological Inquiry Into Kindergarten Teacher Perceptions Of Literacy Skills, Angela Shelton

Student Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative phenomenological study explored kindergarten teachers’ perceptions of the literacy skills of students from households with limited financial resources, compared to students who attended the universal preschool program located in District A with those who did not. The study addressed three research questions: 1. How do teachers perceive the literacy skills of these students? 2. How do teachers describe their experiences teaching literacy to these students? and 3. What resources or professional development do teachers identify as helpful in supporting literacy instruction? Semi-structured interviews with kindergarten teachers were conducted and analyzed to identify common themes. Participants reported that children …

Factors Affecting Teacher Satisfaction At Two School Districts In North Carolina Post Covid-19 Pandemic, Thomas Young

Student Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic caused an interruption to instruction for teachers and students across the United States and left educators unsure of the future as they returned to in-person classes. This phenomenological qualitative study concluded on the lived experiences of middle school teachers in two North Carolina districts to help uncover the reasons why they are satisfied or dissatisfied with their jobs after returning to the classroom since the pandemic. Inspired by Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory, this research investigated the extent to which working conditions influence teacher morale, retention, and job satisfaction. Fourteen teachers of various subject areas, years of experience and …

Public Policy Education: Insights From Graduate Dietetics Students, J. Mitchell Vaterlaus, Lindsay Ganong, D. Coleen Kaiser, Emily Patten

Journal of Dietetic Education

Objective: To examine graduate dietetics students’ experiences completing a public policy course outside of their discipline. Methods: Participants were 40 graduate dietetics students at a university in the Western United States. At the conclusion of a public policy course offered through another department, students completed online surveys with fixed-response and open-ended items. Quantitative data were analyzed using paired t tests, and qualitative responses were examined using codebook thematic analysis. Results: Three themes included (1) Recognizing the interconnection between policy and dietetics practice, (2) From policy hesitancy to policy understanding; and (3) Humanizing policy: public policy and holistic client care. Students …