Digital Commons Network^™

Heavy Metal In Water Resources, Zuming Bi, Jeanne Sumrall

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Heavy metal pollution in surface water has posed a serious threat to human health. The goals of this research are to analyze the concentration and distribution of key heavy metals and compare the measured values with global standards. This study analyzed major heavy metals like Fe, Mn, Cu, Pb, and Ag across several test points in Kansas and converted them to standard units mg/L. Based on the statistical graph, heavy metal iron and manganese levels are exceeded USEPA and WHO limits several times,  while other heavy metals stay in the safe range. The results indicate that the pollution in Kansas …

Ancestral Sequence Reconstruction Of Gh4, Chaejun Park Chaejun Park, Masakatsu Watanabe

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

GH4 enzymes use an unusual NAD⁺-dependent catalytic mechanism that remains poorly understood. Because of their roles in microbial metabolism and potential bioengineering applications, understanding how this mechanism evolved is important. In this study, we use the GH4 structure 1U8X as a reference for structural and functional analysis. Using ancestral sequence reconstruction and phylogenetic analysis, we inferred ancestral GH4 sequences and selected a particular ancestral node for detailed comparison with modern enzymes. These comparisons were used to examine stability, sequence conservation, and catalytic features, helping identify mutations and evolutionary transitions that contributed to the emergence of this distinctive NAD⁺-dependent mechanism.

The Role Of Dna Exoneration In The Bloodsworth Case, John T. Brasfield

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

In the Kirk Bloodsworth case, a man was falsely convicted for the rape and murder of Dawn Hamilton. He spent eight years in prison after being convicted through witness testimony, where he learned about DNA profiling. After submitting a request to check his DNA against the DNA left at the scene, he was exonerated. Later, the DNA left at the scene was checked against a database and got a hit on a convicted rapist who had been charged shortly after Mr. Bloodsworth. If there had been the same access to DNA technology during the trial or if they had listened …

False Confessions Of A Teenage Boy: The Case Of Brian Boles And Charles Collins, Rebekah Bottner

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

On February 8, 1994, James Reid was found dead in his apartment in New York. In the days following the murder, detectives spoke to several people who lived in the building, looking for potential leads or suspects, including 17-year-old Brain Boles. Boles was initially released from questioning after he signed a statement confirming his alibi and that barely knew Reid. A month later, Boles was arrested for a separate assault and robbery. For this crime, Boles confessed, but he was then subjected to an intense and lengthy interrogation for the murder of James Reid. Eventually, Boles also confessed to the …

Identifying Socio-Economic Areas Of Concern Towards Inclusion In Gis Hazard Management, Detroit, Michigan, Ernestina Osei

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This study examines the spatial distribution of socio-economic vulnerability and access to emergency services in Detroit, Michigan, to identify areas of concern for hazard preparedness and urban resilience. While traditional hazard management strategies often prioritize physical infrastructure, this research emphasizes the importance of integrating social vulnerability factors into planning processes.

Socio-economic variables including poverty, unemployment, median household income, housing vacancy, and insurance coverage were obtained from the American Community Survey. These variables were normalized and combined to create a composite vulnerability index representing areas of heightened socio-economic risk. At the same time, proximity and accessibility to critical services such as …

From Experience To Impact: Engaging With The Idd Community, Annabelle Malsam, Braydon Peterson, Whitney Randall, Andrew Gannon

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Tigers for IDD (intellectual and developmental disabilities) is an event created and led by college students to provide an opportunity for collaboration between the campus and the IDD community. Volunteers were asked to complete a survey after the event to provide feedback on their experience. Survey results show that volunteering with the IDD community is an overall very positive experience for volunteers and creates opportunities for personal growth. Individuals who volunteer at similar events, such as Special Olympics events, are motivated to participate for reasons such as giving back to the community and doing something worthwhile. Hosting community events that …

New Building Houses Education And Nursing, University Of North Alabama

Documents

Article from the 1979 Resume of UNA discussing the Education and Nursing Building, now known as Stephens Hall, as well as the accreditation of the Schools of Nursing and Education.

Using Geoscience To Empower A Community And Provide Access To Potable Groundwater, Hendratta Ali Dr

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Access to potable water remains challenging around the world and remains one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030. Barriers to clean water access are exacerbated by the lack of technical expertise, limited funding for education and training, and the absence of reliable infrastructure that provides access to clean water. The Geoscientists Without Borders program, supported FHSU with funding to test, explore and provide access to clean potable groundwater to a rural community in Cameroon. We conducted water quality analyses, identified, mapped and located deep aquifers in fractured metamorphic rocks. Water quality analyses showed acidic pH and elevated amounts …

Mandibular Ecomorphology Of Tylosaurus (Reptilia: Mosasauridae), Andrew I. Price, Amanda Peng

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

The large mosasaur Tylosaurus is known to have been a predator of large marine animals. Performing beam theory analysis, a computational technique that uses linear dimensions of a structure to calculate its resistance to bending, on the mandibles of six Tylosaurus specimens from the Smoky Hill Chalk of Kansas indicates dorsoventral and mediolateral bending strength both increase posteriorly along the mandible. Comparisons with Varanus komodoensis indicate relatively greater mediolateral bending strength mid-dentary in Tylosaurus, suggesting that resisting torsional forces of struggling prey was more important at this landmark in Tylosaurus and that more of its jaw length was used …

Physical Therapy Patient Exercise Adherence Intervention, Carter D. Booe, Dean Clark, Ernesto Duenez, Aiden Haworth, Nathan Jaeger, Gabe Tross, Emery Wolfe

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Non-adherence to prescribed home exercise programs significantly undermines the efficacy of physical therapy (PT), with research indicating only approximately 35% of patients fully adhere to regimens. This issue contributes to suboptimal recovery and places a staggering financial burden on the healthcare system, estimated at $100 billion to $300 billion annually. The Physical Therapy Home Exercise Adherence Trial (PT-HEAT) evaluates the effectiveness of a 14-week behavioral education intervention designed to improve patient adherence outside the clinical setting.

Utilizing the Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) model, this protocol involves PT staff administering a motivational-volitional screener, followed by trained student aides delivering targeted …

Physical Therapy Patient Exercise Behavior Pre-Program Results, Emery Wolfe, Dakota Metzler, Michael Garvert, Caiden Hoffman, Maurice Ochoa, Evie Thompson, Mataya Clark, Aidan Haworth, Noah Morenz, Madison Powell, Josh Sohm, Alanna Hallacy

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This project aims to address a major problem in the physical therapy industry: the “home adherence gap” which is the routine failure to follow through with prescribed exercise at home. Research shows that only about 35% of patients routinely follow through with exercises prescribed for them to do on their own. By focusing on behavior modification and education rather than just physical instruction, this intervention aims to improve long-term recovery, and reduce need for procedures like injections and surgeries. The focus of this study was to measure the ability of the clinic staff to implement a behavior modification program. Once …

Atp Architect - Development Of A Metabolism Boardgame, Selene J. Welch, Micah Burk, Brooklyn Gilchrist, Emma Haase, Timothy T. Jones

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Traditional metabolism instruction often leaves students struggling with pathway interconnectedness and metabolite flux. To foster systems thinking, we are developing an educational board game where students manipulate tokens to navigate physiological constraints and achieve target energy goals. Grounded in Design-Based Research (DBR), the game undergoes iterative refinement based on player feedback. The design utilizes constructivism by allowing students to "fail safely" and revise strategies in real-time, while leveraging embodied cognition to externalize abstract flux into the physical trading of resource tokens.

Motivation Without Borders: Applying The Octalysis Framework To Global Faculty And Student Engagement In Ai Era, Harika Rao

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

No abstract provided.

Current Status Of Msk Diagnostic Ultrasound Education In Doctorate Of Physical Therapy Programs In The United States: A Survey, Lesley Parrish Dr., Heather E. Mount, Casey Charlebois

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK-US) is a dynamic, cost-effective imaging modality increasingly integrated into Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) curricula. Despite growing interest, variability exists in the integration and implementation of MSK-US in entry-level DPT programs. This study aimed to assess the current status of MSK-US education in accredited DPT programs across the United States. A cross-sectional survey was distributed to all 294 accredited DPT programs in the U.S. via email. The survey consisted of 32 questions that addressed curriculum content, instructional methods, faculty qualifications, and barriers to implementation. Participation was voluntary, and 44 programs responded. No experimental interventions were applied. The …

Overcoming Negative Perceptions Of The Sport Of Hockey When Promoting Hockey To African American Parents Of Young Athletes: An Exploratory Study Of Potential Obstacles, George W. Stone

Atlantic Marketing Association Proceedings

No abstract provided.

Retaining Teachers In High-Need Schools, Myram Chapman Brady

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Myram Chapman Brady on April 9, 2026.

From Intention To Action: Training Future Health Professionals To Champion Exercise Adherence In A Medical Fitness Setting, Gage Degarmo

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Center for Health Improvement at HaysMed Internship

The CHI was a great learning experience for FHSU students. Job shadowing at this facility allowed us to interact with people that were trying to remain active or also recover cardiac, neurological or other physical injuries. The CHI provided opportunities for a lot of people to work out who otherwise would have a sedentary lifestyle. CHI had 4 different programs that let people workout at their own pace, depending on their capabilities. Other than recovering from injuries, the CHI gave these individuals an opportunity to be part of a community where they could …

Professional Practice Areas Of Occupational Therapy, Jaycie Theis

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Jaycie Theis- Professional Practice Areas of Occupational Therapy Occupational therapy (OT) is a dynamic healthcare profession focused on promoting independence, functional skills, and quality of life for individuals across the lifespan. This poster outlines the professional practice areas of occupational therapists, including hospitals, schools, home health, and long-term care facilities, highlighting the unique roles, responsibilities, and client populations in each setting. Core job tasks such as patient assessment, individualized treatment planning, therapeutic intervention, and caregiver education are emphasized, along with essential skills like communication, adaptability, and clinical reasoning. The poster also reviews common goals of OT, including improving physical, cognitive, …

Exploring The Role Of Cine-Virtual Reality In Empathy And Awareness Of Social Determinants Of Health Among Occupational Therapy Students, Leah M. Stade, Madison Mckeever, Emma Gardner, Jana L. Wardian Phd

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Understanding social determinants of health (SDOH) is crucial for Occupational Therapy students to develop empathy and deliver optimal healthcare. This study explores using web-based 360° cinematic virtual reality (cine-VR) simulations in Level I fieldwork to address SDOH education and occupational engagement before community-based exposure.

This mixed methods study involved surveys and thematic analysis of written reflections from fifty students in a distance-based program at a Midwest university. Students viewed 12 web-based immersive cine-VR modules about a client experiencing multiple SDOH impacts. Surveys were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-weeks post-intervention, measuring empathy using the Jefferson Empathy Scale and attitudes toward …

Exploring Healthcare Career Pathways: Survey Findings From The Unmc High School Alliance Program, Jana L. Wardian Phd, Rachael Jaixen, Jaynie Bird, Heidi Kaschke

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

The ongoing demand for a well-prepared and adequately staffed healthcare workforce in the United States highlights the value of effective educational pipeline programs. The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) High School Alliance (HSA) was created as an immersive, academic enrichment initiative to expose motivated high school students from a range of educational and socioeconomic backgrounds to health professions, with the long-term aim of strengthening the healthcare workforce in Nebraska. This article evaluates the design, curriculum, and measurable impact of the UNMC HSA over its 16-year history. Students participate daily throughout the school year, engaging in courses such as patient …

The Grizzly, April 9, 2026, Renee Washart, Sidney Belleroche, Erin Ewing, Andrew Mihniak, Jesse Cherone, Ava Wood

Ursinus College Grizzly Newspaper, 1978 to Present

Third Annual Lenape Symposium • Watson Fellowship: What to Know • Join The Grizzly Newspaper! • Ursinus Hosts Girls & Women in Sports Day • Sexual Assault Awareness Month • Opinion: I Hate Cashless Everything • Baseball Blasts Out to Hot Start! • Softball's Young Talent Shines Through

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Adaptive Learning Strategies Among Deaf Students In Inclusive Higher Education: A Thematic Analysis, Mayasari Manar, Murni Winarsih

Jurnal Pendidikan: Teori, Penelitian, dan Pengembangan

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of learning adaptation strategies implemented by students with hearing impairments in the context of inclusive higher education. The study employs a qualitative approach using an open-ended survey design involving 15 students with hearing impairments who are currently enrolled in or have previously attended higher education institutions. Data were analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis approach to identify thematic patterns related to perceptions of the effectiveness of the adaptation strategies employed. The findings indicate that the majority of respondents perceived the adaptation strategies they used as “fairly effective,” although not yet fully optimal. The …

Critical Incident Analysis: A Methodological Approach For Teaching Trauma Informed Practices, Penny B. Howell, Mary S. Thomas, Shantel D. Crosby, Khirsten Scott

Kentucky Teacher Education Journal: The Journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Kentucky Council for Exceptional Children

Drawing on sociocultural theory, a transdisciplinary, multi-racial team of teacher educators, a social work educator, and a scholar of English and rhetoric, designed a study focused on developing teacher candidates’ understanding of trauma-informed practices during their teacher preparation program. Qualitative data from teacher candidates’ reflections on Critical Incident Descriptions (CID) completed during student teaching reveal their developing understanding of trauma-informed practice with Timing, Maintaining Relationships, Holding High Expectations, and Engaging Students so they Remain in the Classroom as prevalent themes across all CIDs. Findings suggest that Critical Incident Analysis promotes teacher candidates’ reflection practices as they make connections …

Perceived Stress Levels Of Prelicensure Nursing Students Over A 10 Week Period, Sara K. Myers

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Abstract

Introduction: Nursing students are held to extremely rigorous academic standards, which often result in severe and chronic stress. This phenomenon creates an array of negative consequences, including mental and physical health issues, reduced academic success, and, in extreme cases, attrition from nursing school or subsequent exit from the nursing profession.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify peak stress levels in a four-semester prelicensure nursing program over a 10 week study period to provide a template for implementation of focused mitigation strategies by nurse educators.

Methods: A longitudinal study design in which the Perceived Stress Scores 10-item …

Understanding Student Attendance Drivers For Collegiate Basketball: A Study Of Midwest Division Ii University Men's And Women's Programs, Noah Beckett, Jj Gonzalez, Jack Hileman, Moses Dirane, Savanah Egger, Justin L. Montney

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Title: Understanding Student Attendance Drivers for Collegiate Basketball: A Study of Midwest Division II University Men’s and Women’s Programs

Names: Gonzalez, J., Hileman, J., Beckett, N., Dirane, M., Egger, S., Montney, J.

Basketball Games Student attendance is a vital component of the collegiate athletic experience, yet the specific drivers behind game-day participation are often complex. This exploratory and descriptive study examines the factors influencing a midwest division II university students’ decisions to attend men’s and women’s basketball games. The primary objective is to identify and quantify key influences on attendance, including game atmosphere, team performance, promotional incentives, scheduling, social factors, …

Building Sport-Specific Conditioning For Rodeo Athletes, Morgan Hammond, Lillie Gorges, Emily Keene, Jamie Kerkviet, Justin L. Montney, Anthony Fox, Montana Heacock

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

Building Sport-Specific Conditioning for Rodeo Athletes: A Mixed-Methods Needs Assessment

Approach

Background: Rodeo athletes face unique physical demands characterized by explosive strength, dynamic balance, and high injury risk across events such as bull riding, barrel racing, and roping. Despite these demands, collegiate rodeo programs often lack access to structured, evidence-based strength and conditioning resources. This project aimed to address this gap through development of a sport-specific training program. Methods: A mixed-methods needs assessment was conducted integrating qualitative interviews with coaches and athletes alongside quantitative systematic observation of practices. Qualitative data identified training philosophies, logistical constraints, and the importance of “rodeo …

The Impact Of Social Isolation On Community College Students' Learning Modality Preferences, Melinda F. Walker

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Melinda F. Walker on April 8, 2026.

Street-Level Bureaucrats In Public Higher Education: The Ethical Obligations To Support Psychologically At-Risk Students, Michael Turtz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

To fill the gap in the current literature, the purpose of this dissertation was to explain how and why Street-Level Bureaucrats (SLBs) in public higher education helped psychologically at-risk students during the pandemic. This qualitative study was intended to examine the role of SLBs in public higher education as it relates to their utilization of administrative discretion when advising psychologically at-risk students. In addition to administrative discretion, this dissertation also explored the role of ethical obligations and the use of a therapeutic lens when SLBs are faced with some of the most difficult situations for which they were not equipped …

Amplified Voices: Zines, Theatre, And Open Pedagogy, Bethany B. Mickel, Amy Hunsaker

All Things Open

This interactive presentation highlights a collaborative open pedagogy project implemented in an undergraduate vocal theatre course. The scaffolded assignment guided students through research practices and source evaluation, culminating in the creation of student-authored zines focused on vocal warmups. Students explored the history of zines as small, often hand-designed publications rooted in self-expression, community knowledge-sharing, and alternative publishing, values closely aligned with open education practices.

Rather than producing a traditional research paper, students synthesized their findings into creative zines that center voice both pedagogically and literally. Throughout the project, students engaged in discussions about open licensing, authorship, and consent, making informed …

Noise-Induced Gains: Are You Damaging Your Hearing While You Train?, Taylor Hitschmann, Lillian Beauvais, Blake Roth, Andrew Gannon

SACAD: Scholarly Activities

This study investigated the potential risk of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among individuals who listen to music during exercise. Survey data were collected alongside sound intensity measurements to better understand listening behaviors in fitness settings. Results indicated that although most participants reported listening at recommended safe levels, a notable proportion exceeded these thresholds, potentially increasing their risk of NIHL. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring listening habits during workouts. Hearing health professionals are encouraged to enhance public awareness and promote safe listening practices to help reduce the likelihood of long-term auditory damage.