Digital Commons Network^™

Associations Between Levels Of Physical Activity And Cognitive Health, Gemma Goldenbaum

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between physical activity levels and executive function, specifically focusing on inhibitory control and working memory capacity. Though the benefits of exercise on brain health are well-documented, the extent of cognitive differences between sedentary individuals and elite student-athletes remains misunderstood. Eighty participants (ages 18–35) were categorized via the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) into sedentary, low, and advanced activity tiers. Participants completed computational assessments, including the Operation Span (OSPAN) task for working memory and Go/No-Go tasks to measure response inhibition and implicit associations. Preliminary results indicated significant differences in sedentary behavior, …

Teacher Shortages In Arkansas Rural School Districts: Employed Teacher’S Perceptions Of The Impact On Their Effectiveness, Carloss Guess

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

ABSTRACT

TEACHER SHORTAGES IN ARKANSAS RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS: EMPLOYED TEACHERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF THE IMPACT

ON THEIR EFFECTIVENESS

Carloss Guess

Teacher shortages in rural school districts remain a persistent challenge that affects instructional quality, teacher workload, and professional sustainability. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore how teachers in rural Arkansas perceive the impact of staffing shortages on their instructional roles, workload, and professional well-being. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 10 K–12 teachers representing elementary, middle, and high schools and across varying career stages. Interview transcripts were analyzed using an inductive qualitative approach and the constant …

Debriefing In Emergency Departments And Intensive Care Units To Combat Compassion Fatigue, Madison N. Chiolino

ATU Theses and Dissertations 2021 - Present

Compassion fatigue can be associated with nurses working in increased stressful environments such as the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Emergency Room (ER).  There is a gap in healthcare facilities, where structured interventions like debriefing tools are not implemented to address compassion fatigue. The purpose of this study was to determine if implementing a debriefing tool in areas where nurses are placed in high stress scenarios such as the intensive care unit and emergency department can aid in combating compassion fatigue. A piloted quantitative pre-and post-survey intervention design was used. Data was collected using the ProQOL 5 and PEARLS debriefing …

Building Critical Thinking And Ai Literacy Through The Topic Development Process In Kinesiology, Brandi Row Lazzarini

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

The purpose of this teaching and learning resource is to provide a process for developing academic and meta-cognitive skills in students as they engage meaningfully in literature analysis and practice deploying generative artificial intelligence (genAI) effectively and responsibly. Additionally, while gaining critical AI literacy, students will develop the skills needed to advance their critical thinking and avoid overreliance on generative AI. This resource is unique in the specificity of its activities, which promote a healthy perspective on how genAI can be used in the early stages of learning about a topic. It also helps students practice the skills needed to …

Service-Learning In Adapted Physical Activity: Student Experiences With And Without Course Integration, Courtney Jost, Nicole Fiscella Nicole Fiscella, Roxanne Bahn-Bales, Tze-Hsuan Wang, Jennifer Beamer, Jennifer Taylor, Willie Chun Wai Leung

Educational Practices in Kinesiology

Service-learning is widely used in adapted physical activity/education (APA/APE) courses to enhance student learning through community engagement. However, limited research has explored how the presence or absence of an APA/APE course influences students’ perceived learning, confidence, and engagement in inclusive physical activity settings. This quasi-experimental, cross-sectional study examined how course-enhanced and purely experiential models of a university-based APA service-learning program, PA PALS, shaped undergraduate students’ experiences. Students (N = 58) participated; 41.4% (n = 24) were concurrently enrolled in an APA/APE course (course-enhanced group), while 58.6% (n = 34) participated as volunteers (purely experiential group). A validated …

Studying More, Not Less: Rethinking Test Anxiety In Undergraduate Biology Courses, Kailey E. Reeves

Honors Theses

This study investigates the relationships among test anxiety, study behaviors, and metacognitive evaluation in undergraduate biology courses. While prior research has established that study strategies and metacognition influence academic performance, less is known about how these factors interact with test anxiety in undergraduate Biology courses. Guided by the student approaches to learning (SAL) and metacognition frameworks, this study examines whether test anxiety is associated with the type and number of study strategies students use, as well as their ability to evaluate their own learning and preparedness. Using a convergent parallel mixed-methods design, data was collected from 205 students enrolled in …

Neurophysiological Signatures Of Perceived Control In The Human Brain: An Electroencephalography Study, Megan Staehling

Honors Theses

Perceived control is defined as the belief that one’s actions can influence the outcomes in the environment. It plays an important role in decision-making, motivation, and emotional regulation. Previous studies suggest that perceived control shapes how the brain processes both reward and punishment stimuli. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this process are still unclear. The present study examined the neurophysiological correlates of perceived control during a decision-making task. Electroencephalography (EEG) was used to record the neural activity of twenty-nine undergraduate students while they completed the Choice Task. Participants associated visual cues with different levels of control over trials involving monetary …

Challenges And Innovations In Tennis Coach Development: International Insights From Practitioners Across Continents, Miguel Crespo, Rafael Martinez-Gallego, Christine Nash

Journal of Coach Development

Tennis is a global sport with effective coaches being essential to the continued appeal, therefore the work of the coach developers within the International Tennis Federation (ITF) is crucial. This research examined the work and aspirations of coach developers in tennis using in-depth interviews with 10 ITF coach developers. Subsequently, we developed detailed pen portraits of two ITF coach developers at different levels of experience and engagement in order to highlight any differences in work, objectives or ambition. Findings from coach developers revealed three themes: support from ITF; barriers to learning; making learning less traditional. The pen portraits added further …

From Stranger To Self: The Role Of Familiarity In Modulating The N170 And N250 Erp Components, Tabish Gul

Dissertations

This study investigated how varying levels of face familiarity modulate the N170 and N250 event-related potential (ERP) components, two neural markers of face perception and recognition. While the N250 is widely considered familiarity-sensitive, the N170 has traditionally been linked to the structural encoding stage of face perception. However, recent research suggests that face familiarity may also influence N170 amplitude and latency. While most previous studies have compared up to three familiarity levels, the present study examined five levels of familiarity: own face, friend’s face, famous face, experimentally familiar face, and unfamiliar face. Twenty-six participants viewed face images while completing a …

Faith, Science, And Choice: Vaccine Attitudes Among Religious University Students, Jamie Jensen

ScholarsArchive Data

These data comprise a Q-methodology study conducted at Brigham Young University among undergraduate students to determine vaccine attitudes in relation to religious and political ideologies. It includes raw sort data, templates for running Q-methodology, and interview transcripts.

Atomoxetine Enhances Specific Dimensions Of Cognitive Performance In A Rodent Strategy Shifting Assay, Jessica Ivanov

Rowan-Virtua Research Day

Title: Atomoxetine enhances specific dimensions of cognitive performance in a rodent strategy shifting assay

Authors: Jessica Ivanov, Christopher P. Knapp, Barry D. Waterhouse, Rachel L. Navarra

Objective: Cognitive flexibility, a domain of executive function, supports adaptive shifts in behavior in response to changing environmental demands and task contingencies. Deficits in this capacity are common to neuropsychiatric disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), where improper regulation of the catecholamine transmitters dopamine (DA) and norepinephrine (NE) within the prefrontal cortex (PFC) has been implicated. Atomoxetine (ATX), a selective NE transporter (NET) inhibitor, elevates levels of NE and DA in the …

Invisible Shipwrecks And Neurological Endangerment: The Trade-Off In Seeking Asylum - Reframing The Neurobiological Cost Of Forced Migration, Eisha Giran

CISLA Senior Integrative Projects

Forced migration along the Spain–Morocco route represents one of the most visible humanitarian crises of the twenty-first century, yet its neurological dimensions remain insufficiently examined. This paper investigates how prolonged displacement and trauma reshape neural systems involved in stress regulation, memory, and emotional processing. It introduces the concept of neurological endangerment, defined as a condition of prolonged and inescapable threat exposure during forced migration in which stress-response systems remain chronically activated, opportunities for recovery are structurally constrained, and cumulative neurobiological risk persists beyond the period of immediate danger.

To address the gap between biological measurement and lived experience, this paper …

The Meaning Of Physical Activity In The Context Of Health Sciences: A Concept Analysis, Martín G. Farinola

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

Physical activity has been defined in numerous ways. Thus, this study aimed to conduct a concept analysis of the existing physical activity definitions in the health sciences literature to evaluate its conceptual precision and assess the need for a revised or novel concept better suited for this domain. The concept analysis was accomplished using tools derived from philosophical semantics. The analysis identified six definitions that explicitly state what physical activity is with sufficient clarity to allow for conceptual examination. The findings indicated that these definitions frequently merge the concept of physical activity with its contextual attributes. To address these semantic …

Attentional Mechanisms Of Language In Infants With Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome And Siblings Of Children With Autism, Isabelle Robinson

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Children with Down syndrome (DS), fragile X syndrome (FXS), or younger siblings of a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASIB) often exhibit atypical object exploration and social engagement, which can affect important learning opportunities. The purpose of this study was to examine group differences in social attention shifting and attentional disengagement between infants with DS, FXS, and ASIBs. This study utilized data from a longitudinal study collected from 12-month-old infants with DS (n = 13), FXS (n = 14), and ASIBs (n = 24). No group differences were seen for social attention shifting. However, infants with DS …

Examining Biobehavioral Indicators Of Adhd In Children With Fxs, Hannah Pressler, Kayla Smith, Ramsey Coyle, Elizabeth Will, Jane E. Roberts

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity behaviors that are inconsistent with developmental age. Children with fragile X syndrome (FXS), a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder, are often diagnosed with comorbid ADHD (53–59% of males with FXS). Despite the prevalence of ADHD in FXS, little is known about the early manifestation of ADHD. The current project aims to explore group differences in play behaviors between children with FXS and typically developing (TD) children as well as the relationship between infant play behavior and heart activity to future ADHD attention outcomes. Participants included male children with FXS and …

The Cranial Morphology Of Large Wild Versus Captive Felids, Bryttin Boyde, Hannah Selvey

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Studies have shown that carnivores in captivity that are fed soft diets have more periodontal problems and that the morphology of their skeletons, skulls specifically, responds to environmental and behavior factors. Considering that captive diet affects teeth and gums, we have conducted research on Dr. Adam Hartstone-Rose’s hypothesis that variation will also be discernible through the examination of cranial morphology. We compared captive and wild lions Panthera leo and tigers Panthera tigris to see if differences were present, then analyzed data collected by a microscribe using a 3D morphometric analysis program. Next, Principal Component Analysis was completed to account for …

A Review Of Video Game Effects And Uses, David Corso

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Video games are versatile in their form and function. Whether they’re training doctors or offsetting Alzheimer’s disease, video games can exercise both mental and physical features, train specific skills for a number of jobs, educate players about events and phenomenon in our world, research and understand natural human processes, and they can be designed for a number of other purposes. Multiple studies have demonstrated the effects of video games on physiological and cognitive levels—positive, negative, and everything in between. This paper identifies various physical and psychological effects that video games produce, and it suggests ways in which video games can …

Learning About Learning: Cognitive Gaming As A Technology Of The Self, David Corso

Caravel Undergraduate Research Journal

Humans perceive and interpret video games in various ways. When viewed as a cognitive process, video games facilitate intellectual growth and development. This piece analyzes selected works by French intellectual Michel Foucault and educational game design researcher Kurt Squire to explain how video game play elicits various cognitive and metacognitive processes. The video discusses how gameplay contributes to the development of cognitive skills, such as memory and attention. It explains how gameplay facilitates learning about learning as well as how video games provide transferable knowledge. An interpretation of Foucault’s “technology of the self” indicates how individuals might use gameplay to …

Teaching Exercise: A Survey On Educational Aids And Self-Efficacy, Joshua I. Eaton, Lucas Morgan, Matthew Hermes

Honors College Theses

HEPs are an important part of therapeutic treatment because they allow for greater exercise stimulus than can be achieved from supervised exercise alone. 94.7% of physical therapists reported prescribing HEPs to their patients. However, patient adherence to these plans can be as low as 35%. Lack of HEP adherence likely leads to sub-optimal clinical outcomes in physical therapy patients. Self-efficacy is improved in patients by supplementing HEPs with instructional aids, especially in the form of videos instead of pictures or descriptions, because they act as a form of vicarious experience. It is possible that improving self-efficacy through vicarious experience could …

Neural Mechanisms Underlying Jung’S Active Imagination: A Review And Hypothesis, Charles R. Fox

Journal of Conscious Evolution

Active imagination is a key technique of Jungian analysis. Despite its centrality, and its potential importance beyond Jungian psychology to the area of systems neuroscience, psychology, and consciousness studies, there are no known neurological mechanisms underlying this psychological phenomenon. There is a history of using the types of mental imagery used in active imagination to explore consciousness. The development and use of active imagination is briefly reviewed, and a case is developed that the neurology underlying active imagination would be fruitfully explored by considering it a special case of mystical experience. Active imagination primarily uses the right hemisphere processing of …

I Lost My Number, Can I Have Yours? Body Image Satisfaction With Sexually Dimorphic Traits Is Associated With Men's Dating Anxiety And Confidence, David A. Frederick, Tania A. Reynolds, Nikoline L. Smart, Justin R. Garcia, David A. Puts

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Evolutionary scientists posit that sexual selection processes caused males to develop sexually dimorphic traits to aid them during intrasexual competition and increase their likelihood of being chosen as mates. Evolutionary social sciences have extensively examined women's preferences for traits such as muscle mass and voice pitch, reasoning that these traits serve as cues of men's ability to provide direct benefits (e.g., resources) and indirect (genetic) benefits passed on to offspring. At the same time, body image researchers have extensively focused on the social causes and consequences of men's dissatisfaction with their muscularity and body fat. We connected these two research …

Assessing The Risk Of Low Energy Availability In Ncaa Division Iii Female Soccer Players, Emma C. Sturts

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Low Energy Availability (LEA) can occur when an athlete’s energy intake is insufficient to meet the physiological demands of training as well as normal physiological functions. Female soccer players may be at an increased risk of developing LEA due to the high exercise energy expenditure paired with decreased energy intake. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of LEA among Division III female soccer players. Division III female soccer players (n = 11) completed the Low Energy Availability in Females Questionnaire (LEAF-Q). 45.5% (n = 5) of the participants were classified as “At Risk” for LEA. Of …

Examining The Influences Of Citizen Factors On The Co-Creation Behaviors Of Online Public Services In A Smart City, Ratih Dyah Kusumastuti, Nurmala Nurmala, Juliana Rouli

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

As smart cities increasingly rely on digital platforms to deliver public services, citizen participation becomes essential for ensuring effective and sustainable service delivery. However, limited research has examined which citizen-related factors drive co-creation behaviors in smart city contexts, particularly in emerging economies. This study aims to investigate the factors that influence the co-creation behaviors of online public services in five smart cities in Indonesia through the city’s digital platform and online social network (OSN). This study analyzes whether citizen factors, namely, perceived benefits over the city and OSN friends, trust in the city and OSN friends, and self-efficacy, affect co-creation …

From Confidence To Competence: Embedding Critical Genai Literacy In Physician Associate Education, Chanceeth Chandrakanthan, Amy H. Donaldson-Perrott Mrs, Jane Secker, Julie Voce, Tamara S. Ritsema

Journal Of Indian Physician Associates

Background: Generative artificial intelligence is now embedded in how many healthcare students learn. Tools provide rapid explanations, summaries and practice questions, but use does not equal AI literacy, particularly where accuracy, medicines safety and guideline alignment matter.

Objective: To describe current use of generative AI by Physician Associate students and outline a practical approach to teaching critical AI literacy.

Methods: Educational evaluation using three activities: (1) baseline survey of students about use and attitudes, (2) an embedded compare and critique session in applied pharmacology where small groups assessed AI answers against trusted UK sources, including BNF and NICE guidance, followed …

Navigating The Genetic Frontier: Clinical And Ethical Implications Of Free Genetic Testing In India, Preetha Vijayalakshmi

Journal Of Indian Physician Associates

The expansion of free genetic testing services in India, resulting from government policies like the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, corporate-sponsored initiatives, and international collaborations, makes it easier to access genomic services for early identification of inherited disorders such as thalassemia, sickle cell anemia, and certain genetic kidney diseases, particularly in tribal populations. However, this review reveals significant clinical and ethical challenges. Clinically, Western-based genotyping platforms, not tailored to India’s genetic diversity, risk inaccurate results, including false positives and negatives, complicating clinical decision-making. A shortage of genetic counsellors and inadequate post-test care leaves patients, especially in rural areas, struggling within fragmented …

How Nutrition And Physical Activity Shape Your Well-Being, Stacy Phillips

EFNEP

This publication will explore the link among nutrition, physical activity, physical health, and mental health and how it impacts whole-body well-being. Understanding how multiple aspects of a person's lifestyle can affect an individual's overall well-being is essential to providing better education on how to make better choices to improve their well-being.

Investigating The Effects Of Stress On The Passive Transfer Of Antibodies From Colostrum To The Newborn Calf, Audrey F. Dykes

Animal Science Undergraduate Honors Theses

The objective of the current study was to examine passive transfer of immunoglobulins A (IgA) and G (IgG) to the calf in relation to dam’s fecal cortisol and lactoferrin. In July 2024, late-gestation, Angus crossbred heifers pregnant by artificial insemination (n = 30) were moved to the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture Stocker Unit and housed in 0.42-ha grass paddocks for each heifer. Calving began in mid-August. Heifers were observed routinely throughout the workday and then at 8 p.m., 12 a.m., and 6 a.m. After calving, the calf was allowed to stand and suckle once then dam sample collection …

The Impacts Of High Protein Diet On Sleep And Mood In Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Pcos), Lily G. Hiegel

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The objective of this study is to determine whether adherence to a high protein diet over a sixteen-week period leads to improvements in sleep quality and mood in women with PCOS. It is hypothesized that individuals following the high protein diet will demonstrate significantly better sleep quality and more favorable mood profiles compared to individuals not following the high protein diet. By targeting insulin resistance and dietary carbohydrate intake, this intervention may influence multiple pathways involved in PCOS symptomatology, including hormonal regulation, metabolic function, sleep physiology, and psychological wellbeing.

Consumerism In The Digital Age: Environmental And Cultural Consequences, Danielle Andrea Montoya

Student Theses 2015-Present

Overconsumption has emerged as a significant environmental problem, characterized by persistent patterns of buying, using, and discarding goods at rates that exceed ecological limits. In the digital age, these patterns of consumption are reinforced by economic systems, technological advancements, and cultural norms that make constant consumption feel normal and convenient. While consumption is necessary for everyday life, consumption beyond basic needs contributes to increased waste, resource depletion, pollution, and climate change. Overconsumption is embedded in daily habits such as online shopping, food consumption, and frequent product replacement. Therefore, understanding and addressing overconsumption is crucial for achieving environmental sustainability and social …

Fluoxetine Exposure During Adolescence Alters Prefrontal Cortex Signaling And Nociceptive-Related Behavior In Adulthood, Anapaula Themann

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

The long-term neurobiological consequences of adolescent antidepressant exposure remain poorly understood, despite the substantial increase in selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) prescription rates in youth. Therefore, the goal of this dissertation was to determine whether adolescent exposure to the SSRI fluoxetine (FLX) produces lasting molecular and behavioral adaptations, using rodents as a model system. To do this, in Chapter 2, I assessed whether adolescent FLX exposure (postnatal day [PD] 35-49) alters signaling molecules associated with survival and synaptic plasticity (extracellular signa- regulated kinase [ERK]) within the adult prefrontal cortex (PFC) - a brain region that plays a central role in …