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Volumetric Differences Of Thalamic Nuclei Are Associated With Posttrauma Psychopathology, Jacklynn M. Fitzgerald

Psychology Faculty Research and Publications

Background

Previous investigations of whole thalamus and thalamic nuclei volumes in posttrauma psychopathology have been sparse and limited in scope and have yielded inconsistent results. To address this, volumetric estimates of whole thalamus and thalamic nuclei were obtained from structural brain magnetic resonance imaging scans from 2058 participants across 20 worldwide sites in the ENIGMA (Enhancing Neuro Imaging Genetics through Meta Analysis) Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) working group.

Methods

Thalamic volumes were compared in trauma-exposed participants with PTSD (n = 238), major depressive disorder (MDD) (n = 184), and comorbid PTSD+MDD (n = 618) and in trauma-exposed …

Native Plants And Water Quality At Coastal Carolina University, Sarah M. Limmer

Honors Theses

Native riparian vegetation is an extremely important part of the natural world as its adaptation to  the local environment and climate offers an increased array of ecosystem services, including soil  stabilization and water filtration. Therefore, while not the only element, native plants are a key  regulator of water quality. This study used quantitative and qualitative analysis methods to  determine how the presence or lack thereof of native vegetation affects water quality in both  landscaped ponds and natural wetlands on Coastal Carolina University’s campus. It was concluded  that there is a slight correlation between the two variables, mainly being in that …

Aging In America: Implications For Family Resource Management, Becky Smith, Portia Johnson, Brandan Wheeler, D E Kiss, Ann A. Berry

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

The Stanford Center on Longevity reports life expectancy has surged over the last 120 years. Unfortunately, living longer may not equate to living with a higher quality of life without considering the amount, type, and uses of all resources available to individuals and families as they age. Family Resource Management (FRM) is the science and art of how individuals and families make decisions to develop and allocate resources, including money, time, energy, space, material, and health assets, and networks of support to meet their goals. Living longer means making more decisions and developing and allocating more resources to enhance the …

Economías De Reciprocidad En Un Paisaje Neocolonizado: La Plaza Almirante Brown Como Nodo Socioecológico Repensar La Belleza, La Pertenencia Y Las Plantas Desde La Educación Ambiental Y El Valor Plural Isp Report, Yereni Bruno-Sanchez

Argentina: People, Environment, and Climate Change in Patagonia and Antarctica

This study seeks to understand how ecological imperialism present in urban green spaces affects the optimal functioning of the reciprocal economies that sustain these places, through the case of Plaza Almirante Brown in Río Grande, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina. The perceptions, values, and emotions that visitors attribute to this urban ecosystem are analyzed, as well as the social dynamics that keep it alive. The work acknowledges and respects the sense of place already established, while identifying a gap in the plaza's relational economy linked to the limited presence and public understanding of native flora. It proposes that the incorporation of …

Way Kambas National Park: The Human-Wildlife Conflict Success Story Still In Need Of Improvement, Eleanor Lefkowicz

Indonesia: Arts, Religion, and Social Change

This paper investigates the negative interactions between humans and animals in Way Kambas National Park of Sumatra, Indonesia, and the prevention and mitigation tactics the community utilizes. The numerous villages surrounding the National Park suffer from elephant activity damaging their farms, while the elephants are frequently harmed by poaching within the park. Participate observations and interviews concluded that the Way Kambas community responds to human-wildlife conflict with a collaborative effort by locals, government park police, and non-governmental organizations to both deter elephant presence outside of the park and poaching activity within the park, as well as to mitigate the negative …

Helping The Natural World Speak For Itself: Art's Role In Communicating Environmental And Sustainability Concepts In Sydney, Australia, Elizabeth Clark

Australia: Rainforest, Reef, and Cultural Ecology

Climate change and its broadening scope have made awareness of environmental issues, as well as ways to mitigate them, essential to securing our planet's future. Artistic venues, such as art galleries and even theatres, are becoming increasingly prominent in this conversation due to their ability to engage broad audiences and make scientific concepts more accessible. To understand the effectiveness of artistic efforts in science communication, it is necessary to assess the strategies by which both successful scientific venues, like zoos or natural history museums, and emerging artistic venues in science disseminate information. This project aimed to assess science communication strategies …

The Impacts Of Sports Specialization On Youth Development, Madison M. Allen

Honors Thesis

To this date, there has been a rise in the professionalism of youth sports, which has increased the competitiveness and likelihood of early specialization in young athletes. While this allows youth athletes to have recognition at a young age, many athletes experience negative effects that inhibit their ability to make it to the elite level at a later age. Sports specialization can be defined as the participation and/or training of one sport year-round, typically excluding participation in all other sports. Current research suggests that sports specialization can contribute to injury and musculoskeletal disorders, impact motor skills and coordination, and cause …

The Church And Child Welfare: Exploring Faith-Based Support For Foster, Kinship, Adoptive, And Biological Families, Elizabeth Deagle

Orphans and Vulnerable Children Senior Capstone

The child welfare system relies on foster, kinship, adoptive, and biological families to provide care, stability, and permanency for vulnerable children. Despite their critical role, these families often face complex challenges, including trauma exposure, placement instability, caregiver burnout, socioeconomic and legal barriers, and limited access to supportive resources. Historically, churches and faith-based organizations have played a significant role in caring for orphaned and vulnerable children. This paper examines the unique contribution of the church and faith-based organizations in strengthening child welfare efforts across three dimensions: (1) biblical and theological foundations for caring for vulnerable children and families, (2) trauma-informed ministry …

Navigating Law And Taboo: Sexual Expression And Healthcare Access Among Tunisian Women, Serafina Sqatrito

Tunisia and Italy: Politics and Religious Integration in the Mediterranean

Women’s sexual health within Tunisia exists at an intersection between progressive legal frameworks, while also reversely experiencing modesty linked to gendered expectations, as well as enduring sexuality expression as a cultural taboo. This study aims to investigate how Tunisian women across generations understand as well as navigate intimacy, healthcare access, sexual education, sexual expression, within this complex social and legal context. Using a qualitative method, this study conducted four semi-structured interviews with women aged between 18-65 living in urban areas of Tunis and La Marsa. The interviews focused on experiences of shame and openness surrounding sexual life, societal sexual pressure …

Dental Fluorosis As A Biomarker Of Environmental And Regulatory Failure In Tunisia’ S Gafsa Valley, Kenzy Aldaher

Tunisia and Italy: Politics and Religious Integration in the Mediterranean

No abstract provided.

Navigating Survival Without Rights: The Case Of Sub-Saharan And Sudanese Migrants In Tunisia, Amel Mohdali

Tunisia and Italy: Politics and Religious Integration in the Mediterranean

This study examines irregular migration and the lived experiences of migrants and asylum seekers in Tunisia, focusing on how individuals navigate prolonged transit in the absence of legal status, protection, and formal rights. Based on qualitative interviews with eight migrants from Sub-Saharan Africa, and Sudanese refugees displaced by mass violence, the research approaches migration not as a single act of movement but as an extended condition shaped by housing, employment, mobility, and access to safety. Across interviews, Tunisia is described as a transit country that unexpectedly became a site of residence due to expired visas, exit fines, and restricted onward …

Assessing The Role Of Ocean Literacy In Liberia's Blue Economy : Pathway To Sustainable Blue Ocean Development In Liberia, Precious Tete Nah

Ocean Sustainability, Governance & Management Dissertations

Ocean literacy involves understanding the fundamental concepts of the ocean's functioning, leading to informed and responsible decisions about the ocean. This understanding is vital for developing responsible ocean citizenship and implementing measures to sustain the ocean, as it highlights the ocean's influence on humans and the impact of human activities on it. Using a qualitative research method with a purposive sampling approach, the research asks focus group representatives from New Kru Town and Westpoint, both closed- and open-ended questions, on the importance of ocean literacy, challenges, prospects, and recommendations to promote sustainable blue ocean development.

The results of the research …

“Il N’Y A Plus De Monstres”: A Case Study On Trans And Gender-Diverse Health In Switzerland, Sophie Lin

Switzerland: Global Health and Development Policy

Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) populations experience significant health disparities, particularly in regards to mental health outcomes and quality of life. This case study employs a qualitative approach to elucidate barriers and enablers to TGD health and gender-affirming care in Switzerland. Evidence collected from semi-structured interviews with health professionals working with Swiss TGD communities provides a thorough understanding of contemporary resources and obstacles regarding gender-affirming treatment. This research seeks to contribute to scholarship by synthesizing health literature with critical queer theory. Drawing from Butler’s theory of gender performativity, a framework of gender self-determination is advanced as a core principle of health, …

Nutrition In Context: How Cultural Beliefs, Gender Norms, Social Environments, And Interventions Shape Maternal Nutrition In Nepal, Rebecca Fan

Switzerland: Global Health and Development Policy

Maternal nutrition is recognized as one of the most significant and modifiable determinants of persistent inequities in maternal and neonatal health. In Nepal, what women are able to eat and how they experience pregnancy are all shaped by a complex interplay of cultural beliefs, gendered expectations, household dynamics, structural barriers, and nutrition intervention efforts. This study examines these intersecting factors through ethnographic accounts, peer-reviewed scientific literature, expert interviews, and an analysis of current interventions operating across different levels. Specifically, to understand the social environments shaping maternal nutrition, the paper explores cultural beliefs and misconceptions surrounding food, women’s limited control over …

Anterior Cingulate Cortex Connectivity And The Role In Neuroticism: A Diffusion-Weighted-Imaging-Based Investigation Of Limbic And Prefrontal Circuits., Jake Cox Ii

College of Arts & Sciences Senior Theses

Neuroticism is a trait which has been shown to significantly predict psychopathology. Investigating its neurobiological underpinnings may uncover a brain-based relationship that allows clinicians to conceptualize a shared predispositional factor across multiple psychopathologies, implicating treatment protocols. Inter-connectivity network and structural variation has been shown to be implicated in neuroticism, more specifically the frontoparietal network, default mode network, salience networks, and limbic networks. These networks tackle executive, salience, and emotional information, respectively. The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is a brain region nested between and functionally related to various networks stated above that are implicated in neuroticism. As such, it was hypothesized …

Validation And Trend Analysis Of Satellite-Derived Surface Water Temperature Observations Over Adirondack Lakes, Marzi Azarderakhsh, Carolien Mossel, Abdou Rachid Bah, Aisha Malik, Fahmeda Khanom, Jonathan Borrelli, Pete Mcintyre, Hamidreza Norouzi, Kevin Rose

Publications and Research

This study aims to validate and evaluate satellite remote sensing observations from the Landsat series over 135 lakes in the Adirondack State Park, located in upstate New York, and to examine their surface temperature trends over the past 40 years. It utilizes data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), along with Landsat 5 and 7. Park-scale results were derived by extracting MODIS surface temperatures within the park boundary, while lake-scale results were estimated using Landsat 5 (1984-2012) and Landsat 7 (1999-2023) observations. In addition, field observations were utilized to perform a comprehensive validation and evaluation of satellite-based surface temperature …

Examining Choices Of Sarcastic Responses In Dialogue With Virtual Interlocutors, Samantha Langley

Theses and Dissertations

We report the results from three experiments examining people’s preferences for using sarcasm in conversation as a function of: 1. whether their interlocutor uses sarcasm during the conversation; 2. Their knowledge about whether the interlocutor has used sarcasm in a previous conversation; 3. The presence of prosodical and visual cues for interlocutors’ sarcasm. In each experiment, participants took part in two conversations, and we manipulated whether the interlocutors were sincere or sarcastic and whether they remained the same or changed from one conversation to the next. Experiment one used written conversations and experiment two and three used pre-recorded video clips …

A Measurement And Empirical Research On The Scientific Knowledge Demand Of Netizens On Social Media Platform, Rui Zhang, Wanyi Zuo, Wei Huang

Journal of Scientific Information Research

[Purpose/significance] Exploring the scientific knowledge demand of netizens on social media platform will prompt the dissemination and utilization of scientific knowledge, and it plays an important role in enhancement of the scientific literacy level of our general publics.

[Method/process] This paper constructed a measurement index system of netizens' scientific knowledge demand consists of demand breadth, demand strength and demand hierarchy, and adopted a comprehensive evaluation method based upon factor analysis and entropy method. 30 popular science WeChat accounts in different fields are measured and evaluated, and the comprehensive ranking of demand was calculated to explore and compare the demand differences …

Our Town Upland Campaign, Claire Yew

Public Relations Student Projects

This promotional campaign, developed by Taylor University’s 2025 PR Cases & Campaigns class in partnership with Our Town Upland, aims to enhance the visibility and vitality of Upland, Indiana. Grounded in research on the town’s history, demographics, and community culture, the campaign identifies key opportunities to strengthen local partnerships, increase visitor engagement, and deepen connections between Taylor University students and the broader community. The plan outlines strategic initiatives, including community events, business collaborations, internship programs, and targeted marketing efforts intended to attract visitors, increase event participation and elevate Upland’s profile. Through a combination of print and social media, and experiential …

Environmental Receipts: The Ecological Footprint Of Multilateral Development Banks, Mike Wigdor

Student Publications

This paper assesses whether membership in multilateral development banks (MDBs) is associated with lower ecological footprints. Drawing on country-year data from the 2025 Quality of Government (QoG) Basic Dataset and the Correlates of War (CoW) IGO Dataset, I analyze 1,714 observations from 1970–2008. Ecological footprint (global hectares per capita) is used as the dependent variable, while the central explanatory variable is the total number of MDB memberships annually. I utilize an OLS regression model controlling for logged GDP per capita, regime type, oil production value, urbanization, and economic globalization. Contrary to my hypothesis that MDB safeguards, norm diffusion, and pooling …

Morphology-Performance Relationships To Understand Cichlid Neurocranial Evolution In The Context Of Adaptive Radiation, Sarah Pascarella

Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Cichlid fishes have undergone multiple adaptive radiations in the rift lakes of East Africa pairing rapid taxonomic and morphological diversification. Lake Malawi’s rock-dwelling cichlids (mbuna) have diversified into hundreds of species that partition their habitat by depth and diet resulting in high morphological and behavioral diversity. We characterized morphological differences and performed behavioral assays among four cichlid genera from Lake Malawi focused on understanding form-function relationships in the neurocranium and oral feeding apparatus. We characterized neurocranial shape using 3D geometric morphometrics across a large taxonomic sample of mbuna cichlids, focusing primarily on the Tropheops species complex. Alongside broad changes in …

The Guardian The Month Of October 2025, Wright State Student Body

The Guardian Student Newspaper

News articles from The Guardian for the Month of October 2025. The Guardian is the official student-run newspaper for Wright State University. It has been published regularly since March of 1965.

Diabetes-Related Foot Complications And Socioeconomic Influences Among Hispanic Males In South Texas: A Scoping Review, Mariana J. Rodriguez, Demian Rodriguez, Amanda Killeen

School of Podiatric Medicine Publications

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S. and 6th in Texas. South Texas counties have higher diabetes rates than state and national averages. This complex, progressive disease affects multiple body systems and can lead to serious complications, especially in the lower extremities. Uncontrolled diabetes is often associated with diabetic foot ulcers (DFU), foot infections, and lower extremity amputations (LEA). South Texas, predominantly Hispanic American, is disproportionately affected. This demographic faces clinical barriers due to a lack of cultural understanding, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive healthcare workers such as promotoras. This study aimed to …

Alfred Russel Wallace Notes 38. Alfred Russel Wallace's "Revolt Of Democracy": A Critical Analysis Of Early 20th Century Labor Theory And Its Contemporary Relevance, James Williams, Charles H. Smith Editor

Faculty/Staff Personal Papers

This article examines Alfred Russel Wallace’s political treatise The Revolt of Democracy (1913), analyzing his theoretical framework for addressing labor unrest and economic inequality in early 20th-century Britain. Wallace's work presents a comprehensive critique of competitive capitalism and proposes systematic government intervention to address structural poverty. Through close textual analysis and comparison with contemporary UK labor conditions, this study evaluates the enduring relevance of Wallace's economic theories and policy prescriptions. The analysis reveals significant continuities between early 20th-century and contemporary debates about living wages, government employment standards, and wealth redistribution, while highlighting both the prescience and limitations of Wallace’s analytical …

The Temporal Dynamics Of Attention To Threat And Gad Symptoms: A Study Of Lpp Slopes, Ben Swanson, Matt R. Judah, Grant S. Shields

Psychological Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Individuals experiencing generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) show heightened attention to threat, as suggested by greater amplitude of the late positive potential (LPP). However, amplitude measurements do not fully capitalize on the high temporal resolution of EEG. Specifically, amplitude does not reflect the rate of change in the LPP over a window of interest, which may be important to understand LPP dynamics in individuals with GAD. Indeed, this rate of change of the LPP (i.e., LPP slope) may reflect attentional orienting. The current study leveraged multilevel models to examine the LPP in relation to GAD symptoms. We hypothesized that more-positive LPP …

Exploring The Relationships Between Childhood Emotional Neglect, Attachment, Perfectionism, And Adult Mental Health Struggles Across The Socioeconomic Spectrum, Jordan Biedrzycki

Dissertations

This mixed-methods, cross-sectional study investigated the associations between childhood emotional neglect, perfectionism, attachment insecurity, and internalizing symptoms (depression and anxiety) among adults from varying socioeconomic (SES) backgrounds. Participants (N = 210) aged 18 years or older completed five validated self-report instruments for the quantitative analyses and answered two optional open-ended questions that yielded qualitative data. Data from the self-report measures were analyzed using independent samples t-tests, linear regressions, and moderation analyses conducted with the PROCESS macro. Three hypotheses were tested in this study. First, participants from high-SES backgrounds reported experiencing emotional neglect more frequently than other maltreatment subtypes (t = …

Prenatal Exposure To Domestic Violence And Its Impact On Infant Stress-Response Development, Erica Cooper

Expo Student Presentations

2025 Fall Expo Online Poster Presentation

• Health Sciences & Health Professions
• Social & Behavioral Sciences

Venezuelan Migrants In Prostitution: A Personal Decision?, Yazmin Maria Lucila Cadena Camargo, Izara Maite Mondragon Moreno, Isabela Osorio Jaramillo, Paula Angélica Suárez Álvarez, Andrés Duarte Osorio, Carlos Gómez-Restrepo

Dignity: A Journal of Analysis of Exploitation and Violence

This paper explores the multifaceted experiences of Venezuelan migrant women engaged in prostitution, framed through three critical moments: the “decision to enter in prostitution,” the unique abuses faced, and the resultant consequences on mental, physical, and social health. The study highlights how socioeconomic vulnerabilities—exacerbated by migration and poverty—significantly influence the likelihood of entering prostitution. It also shows how traumatic experiences, particularly in childhood and adolescence, coupled with a lack of support networks, contribute to a heightened risk of exploitation. Eleven life stories were collected through a phenomenological approach, revealing a common narrative of abuse, poverty, and the search for survival …

Portfolio And Appendix Chris M. Larson, Chris M. Larson

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Abstract:

This is a collection of assignments and reflections of my work throughout the course of the Masters in Social Work program at the University of Montana. Included are assignments reflecting on the Indian Child Welfare Act, housing, barriers to care for Non-White and female veterans within the VA clinic, the quality of care in nursing homes, American Drug policy, confidentiality in the YWCA, training on interventions based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, cost benefit analysis of in home care programs, and a proposal for my practicum site Missoula Aging Services. It has reflections on the five elements of advanced practice, …

Leveraging After School Programs As Resources To Support Adolescent Health And Wellbeing Within Underserved Communities: A Qualitative Study, Olivia Staples

Theses and Dissertations

Over the past decade, youth have shown a consistent rise in stress, major depression, anxiety, and suicide, with underserved youth (low-income, minoritized communities) at greatest risk of exposure to chronic stress, related outcomes, and less access to health services (APA, 2017). Afterschool programs (ASPs), which serve as important resources in underserved communities, can be a critical support for youth health and well-being (Afterschool Alliance, 2019). However, few studies have examined ways in which ASPs address the challenges underserved youth face across their ecosystem to promote youth resilience (Jones & Deutsch, 2011). Using qualitative interview data from staff and youth across …