Digital Commons Network^™

Role-Ing While Bipoc: Understanding The Experiences Of Table Top Role Playing Game Players Of Color, Jordan K. Posey

Dissertations

In 2015, controversy surrounded the interactive computer game Mission US: Flight to Freedom. The game was unveiled as an accessible way to teach about American chattel slavery by mixing elements normally associated with roleplaying games (RPGs), Tabletop Roleplaying Games (TTRPGs), and social studies curriculum. The conversations surrounding the game exemplify the complicated history of RPGS/TTRPGs and the limitations of gamification in educational settings. This qualitative study aimed to analyze aspects of gaming culture through a critical race lens by documenting the experiences of Tabletop Roleplaying Game (TTRPG) players identifying as Black, Indigenous, and a Person of Color (BIPOC). Using a …

Patient Consent And The Right To Notice And Explanation Of Ai Systems Used In Health Care, Meghan E Hurley, Benjamin H Lang, Kristin Marie Kostick-Quenet, Jared N Smith, Jennifer Blumenthal-Barby

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Given the need for enforceable guardrails for artificial intelligence (AI) that protect the public and allow for innovation, the U.S. Government recently issued a Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights which outlines five principles of safe AI design, use, and implementation. One in particular, the right to notice and explanation, requires accurately informing the public about the use of AI that impacts them in ways that are easy to understand. Yet, in the healthcare setting, it is unclear what goal the right to notice and explanation serves, and the moral importance of patient-level disclosure. We propose three normative functions …

Navigating Your Us Bioscience Career Into The 2030s, Peter J Hotez

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

The coming decade might see major cuts to the United States Government funding for biomedicine and the mainstreaming of pseudoscience. But your biosciences PhD gives you the problem-solving skills to navigate this maelstrom, especially if you maintain flexibility, optimism, and enthusiasm for uncharted paths.

Family Genetic Risk Communication And Reverse Cascade Testing In The Babyseq Project, Melissa K Uveges, Hadley Stevens Smith, Stacey Pereira, Casie Genetti, Amy L Mcguire, Alan H Beggs, Robert C Green, Ingrid A Holm

Center for Medical Ethics and Health Policy Staff Publications

Purpose: Genomic sequencing of newborns can initiate disease surveillance and therapy for children and may identify at-risk relatives through reverse cascade testing. We explored genetic risk communication and reverse cascade testing among families of newborns who underwent exome sequencing and were identified as having a risk for an autosomal dominant disease.

Methods: We conducted semistructured interviews with parents of newborns enrolled in the BabySeq Project who had a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant associated with an autosomal dominant childhood- and/or adult-onset disease returned. We used directed content analysis to derive themes.

Results: From 11 families, all first-degree relatives (n = …

Humans Are Far Dearer Than Gold, Richard Gorban

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The author of the article proves that the genocidal war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine is aimed at the total destruction of both the Ukrainian nation and its culture, based on the methodological principle of actualizing biblical texts in the current circumstances and by selecting elements from the exhaustiveness of the content of the Book of Isaiah, the Prophet, which are able to reveal the ontological foundations of this war. It is the clash between the two incompatible experiences of existence: the existence of a human community in peace and that of a community in war. Ukraine has become …

Nuestra Señora De Belén Catholic Church, Belen, New Mexico – Burials Register Extractions 1800-1860, Samuel E. Sisneros

University Libraries & Learning Sciences Faculty and Staff Publications

This dataset was created as part of a larger study to recover the Belen colonial Catholic mission Church and the Plaza Vieja emergence history. By using extractions in Oswald Gilbert Baca’s Burial Records from the Roman Catholic Parish of Nuestra Señora de Belen, Belen, New Mexico, 1793 – 1900 as an initial source and comparing with the original register pages (available online at familysearch.org), I have begun to verify, clarify, correct and expand Baca’s extractions.

For ease in sorting and counting, I created a master spreadsheet with all the pertinent information pulled from Oswald Baca’s extractions and from images of …

Exploring Physician Well-Being: A Bibliometric Analysis Of Mental Health, Suriya Kumareswaran, Bala Murali Sundram, Vanitha Thurairasu

Kesmas

This bibliometric study examined the evolving research landscape on physician mental health from 2010 to 2023, analyzing key themes, publication trends, and global contributions. A total of 3,360 articles, including 3,137 original research and 223 reviews, were sourced from Web of Science and Scopus. Findings revealed a significant increase in research output, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with burnout, depression, and anxiety emerging as dominant themes. The US accounted for most publications, while research from low- and middle-income countries remains limited, indicating a substantial global disparity. Thematic analysis highlighted variations in burnout assessment methodologies, underscoring the need for standardized evaluation …

Exploring Mental Health, Future Rehabilitation, And Systemic Oppression In Inmates: A Qualitative Study, Vennissica F. Kelly

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of systemic oppression in incarcerated inmates, with a focus on their emotional/psychological experience of systemic oppression and how it impacted their willingness to participate in rehabilitation programs. This phenomenological study used elements of the narrative approach to obtain the common themes that surfaced while communicating with the participants and focused on two areas: systemic oppression and how it affected the mental health of inmates and how it affected their willingness to participate in rehabilitation programs. For this purpose, systemic oppression was defined as systemic power used to control others. To …

The Ties That Bind: A Comprehensive Pastoral Counseling Approach To Bridge The Gap Between Christians Struggling With Same-Sex Attraction And Cornerstone Church, Barbara Pringle Taylor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation project explores the need for a faith-based counseling program that aligns with biblical principles while fostering inclusivity and support for Christians experiencing same-sex attraction (SSA). The study addresses the challenges faced by individuals in the church community who often encounter isolation, shame, and rejection. It proposes a comprehensive pastoral counseling program to train church leaders in providing compassionate, transformative care. This project employs qualitative research methods, including focus groups and individual interviews, to gather insights from church leaders and members. It analyzes theological, psychological, and pastoral perspectives to build a robust spiritual and emotional support framework. The research …

The Lived Experiences Of African American Children Of Clergy: What Has Become Of Them In Their Adulthood?, Chantel Danielle Staton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It is noticeable that there are stereotypes associated with being African American due to prejudice and racism. It is identifiable, as well, that there are stereotypes associated with being a child of the clergy due to their expectations being higher than nonclergy children. How do the two coexist? This phenomenological study aims to understand how the lived experiences of African American children of clergy have impacted their adulthood. How has being an African American child growing up in the home of a pastor impacted how that child now copes mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as an adult? This study is designed …

Multi-Ethnic Executive Leadership (Meel) Experiences Within Higher Education: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Enrique Fabian Fernandez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological hermeneutic study was to understand the experiences of the limited multiethnic executive leadership (MEEL) within proprietary for-profit and private non-profit higher education institutions in the lower Southeastern region of the United States. The study applied a social justice theory interpretive framework via the critical race theory highlighting unconscious biases that have supported by-and-large a majority White leadership hierarchy within higher education in the United States. The study also employed a qualitative study design with a phenomenological hermeneutical approach which fits well with the intent and process aimed at revealing and illuminating participant’s triumphs and …

Volume 32-2 Complete Issue, C. Nicholas Raphael

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 32-2 Complete Issue

Editorial Comments Facilitating Field Research, H. J. De Blij

The Geographical Bulletin

All of us remember the favorite sayings of some of our teachers. When I was a first-year student at the University of the Witwatersrand, Professor J. H. Wellington would start many a lecture by stating "Geography is a field science. What I am about to tell you comes from my field notes. When you go on to graduate school, your success or failure will depend on your ability to do original field research." When I was in the Master's degree program at Northwestern University, a visiting professor, A. E. Moodie, liked to say that "If you cannot map it, it …

Editorial Comments Geography And Yesteryear, Geoffrey J. Martin

The Geographical Bulletin

Have you noticed how we revere what is new? A new scholarly book, a new text book, a new article, a new idea, a new assessment, a new terminology all seem to readily command our attention. This is not surprising for we live in a society which places a premium on what is new; and what is new is considered best. Now such an evaluation is probably legitimate for the accumulative sciences ... mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology. It is eminently not true for art, music and literature; Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt, Mozart and Tchaikovsky, Chaucer and Shakespeare, each speak …

Perceptions Of Using Exercise As A Self-Determining Motivational Strategy For Gen Z Females With Depression Since Covid-19., Andrea Menhennet

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted individuals' daily routines, which amplified mental health challenges worldwide. A demographic highly prone to depression is Gen Z females. They faced unique struggles during this period, specifically managing their well-being. This study explored the perceptions of Gen Z females with depression regarding the use of exercise as a motivational strategy based on self-determination theory (SDT). The study aimed to understand how physical activity and ways to cope were allocated to manage mental health struggles, focusing on autonomy, competence, and relatedness as pertinent psychological needs. Using the generic qualitative approach, eight female Gen Z participants shared …

The Perspective Of African American Single Mothers In Birmingham, Alabama On The Criminalization Of African American Male Adolescents, Jessica Ruth Whiteside

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the lived experiences of single African American mothers raising males and their association with criminal behavior. The nature of this research was phenomenological. This cross-sectional study, informed by the general strain theory, explored the effects of stress and strain from adversity and systematic racism on the criminality of African American male adolescents. The key research question was: In what ways do African American single mothers view their part and the part of their socio-economic context as contributing to the criminalization of their sons? A phenomenological research approach was used, and the …

Carnival, Ritual, And Race-Thinking In The Bolivian Andes, Ximena Cordova, Adhemar Mercado

All Works

This paper explores the intersection of race, religion, and colonial legacies through the lens of the Oruro Carnival, examining its role in shaping Bolivian identity. Critical religion scholars argue that the entanglement of race and religion is a product of Western modernity and colonialism, which has influenced both historical and contemporary power relations. This framework is applied to analyse the Carnival, where religious practices and festive performances intersect, reflecting colonial efforts at religious conversion and racial categorisation. By focusing on the ethnography of Oruro’s embodied festive practices, this study investigates how the Carnival contributes to the construction of difference amid …

Neurocriminology: A Beginner’S Guide, Jerrod Brown

Forensic Scholars Today

No abstract provided.

The Ability Of Chatgpt To Aid In The Rapid Development Of Inoculation Message Treatments: A Case Study And Recommendations, Alicia Mason, Josh Compton, Griffin Cooper

Faculty Submissions

One of the most widely known types of AI technologies in recent years is ChatGPT. ChatGPT is a state-of-the-art language model that has revolutionized natural language processing by generating human-like text with context and coherence, enabling new possibilities for human-AI interaction (Brown et al., 2020). This case study reports on a 10-week conversational AI training initiative to assess whether ChatGPT4 can (a) identify the structural elements and features of conventional inoculation messages (i.e., forewarnings and preemptive refutations); (b) augment inoculation message design features (i.e., linguistic signatures, language, and length); (c) adapt messages for specific audiences (i.e., younger populations, experts); and …

Parental Support Experiences During The Covid-19 Pandemic While Supervising 9th – 12th Grade Student Learning, Sarah E. White

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the lives of parents, children, and families in numerous ways. These impacts included increased parental involvement in remote learning. This was an ongoing situation where parents were supervising and being highly involved in their student’s education. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the parental support experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic while supervising high school student learning. Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory was used as a theoretical foundation to understand the experiences of parents. This theory related to support systems, which was relevant during COVID-19 when remote learning changed the interactions between in-person students and …

Centering Black Resource-Poor Adolescent Voices: A Critical Phenomenological Study Of Lived Mental Health Struggles While Enduring The Covid-19 Pandemic, Paulette Dispagna

Counseling and Psychology Dissertations

There is a dearth of research in general and qualitative research specifically about the mental health experience of resource-poor Black adolescents living in Boston. This has implications for the field in terms of how adolescents experiencing mental health issues can be supported and how professionals can create more useful mental health treatment. Drawing from the theoretical lens of critical race theory and more specifically, intersectionality, this hermeneutic phenomenological inquiry examined the ways in which experiencing multiple levels of inequality, especially from racism and poverty, affected a Black adolescent’s mental health. Eleven adolescents were interviewed via Zoom. Six major findings included: …

Inhibition Of Il-6 Trans-Signaling Promotes Post-Stroke Functional Recovery In A Sex And Dose-Dependent Manner, Cassandra Hall, Dustin T Nguyen, Kate Mendoza, Chunfeng Tan, Anjali Chauhan

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Elevated circulating IL-6 levels are associated with poorer outcomes after stroke, and increased serum IL-6 levels are linked to a higher risk of stroke. IL-6 binds to soluble IL-6 receptors (sIL-6R) and subsequently to ubiquitously expressed gp130, initiating proinflammatory trans-signaling. This study tested the hypothesis that inhibiting IL-6 trans-signaling by administering soluble (s) gp130 improves long-term functional outcomes in young mice after stroke.

Methods: Recombinant mouse gp130Fc chimera (sgp130) was administered one hour after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) followed by twice-weekly administration for 2 weeks in mice (8-15 weeks old). Behavioral assessments were done on days 7 and …

Volume 33-1 Complete Issue, C. Nicholas Raphael

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 33-1 Complete Issue

The Abandoned Shipwreck Act Of 1987 And The Reaction Of State Historic Preservation Offices, Kelly A. Victor, Gary M. Victor

The Geographical Bulletin

The Abandoned Shipwreck Act of 1987 is perhaps the most important piece of recent federal legislation enacted affecting underwater archaeology and the preservation of underwater historic sites. With this short statute, the federal government vested title to virtually all historic shipwrecks in navigable water to the states. The act also changed existing legal principles in order to allow the states to enact their own laws to protect and preserve underwater historic resources. This article begins with a discussion of the Abandoned Shipreck Act of 1987- what it is, what it does and how it has changed the law related to …

A Review Of Racial Differences And Disparities In Ecg, Jianwei Zheng, Chizobam Ani, Islam Abudayyeh, Yunfan Zheng, Cyril Rakovski, Ehsan Yaghmaei, Omolola Ogunyemi

Mathematics, Physics, and Computer Science Faculty Articles and Research

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is a widely used, non-invasive tool for diagnosing a range of cardiovascular conditions, including arrhythmia and heart disease-related structural changes. Despite its critical role in clinical care, racial and ethnic differences in ECG readings are often underexplored or inadequately addressed in research. Variations in key ECG parameters, such as PR interval, QRS duration, QT interval, and T-wave morphology, have been noted across different racial groups. However, the limited research in this area has hindered the development of diagnostic criteria that account for these differences, potentially contributing to healthcare disparities, as ECG interpretation algorithms largely developed from major …

Associations Of Parental Perceived Health With Child Movement Behaviors Within Two-Parent Households, You Fu, Hayley Almes, Nora Constantino, Doria Schmidt, Ryan D. Burns

International Journal of Physical Activity and Health

This study aimed to examine how perceived parental mental and physical health status was associated with child physical activity, screen time, and sleep. Participants were 6- to 17-year-old minors (N = 20,156; 47.9% female) from the 2022 US National Survey of Children’s Health. Dependent variables were children’s physical activity frequency, screen time, and sleep. Independent variables were parents’ physical and mental health status. Using the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model, two adjusted path models were constructed. One for parent mental health associating with parental physical health, another for parent physical health associating with parental mental health–both further associating with child movement behaviors. …

Barriers To Nigerian Community Members In The United States Seeking Mental Health Treatment, Chinwendu Ejekwu

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Nigerian immigrants in the United States face significant challenges in accessing mental health care due to various cultural and systemic barriers. This generic qualitative study, guided by Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, was conducted to explore the barriers encountered by Nigerian community members in seeking mental health treatment in the United States. Data were obtained through semistructured interviews where nine Nigerian immigrants presented their perceptions and experiences concerning barriers to Nigerian community members seeking mental health treatment in the United States. Thematic analysis followed the six-step data analysis method, leading to three themes. The themes identified are: (a) mental health is a …

Climate Change Demands Free Markets, Glen Lyons

Journal of New Finance

William Nordhaus won a Nobel Prize for work on the economics of climate change. He advocated for the government policy of carbon pricing arguing that climate is a public good, free riders undermine action, there are unpriced negative externalities, and individuals can’t slow climate change. Nordhaus assumes that climate science is certain enough to design effective policy. This paper challenges that thinking and shows that individuals can and ARE slowing climate change. I will also review the risks of government policy, highlight the uncertainty in present day climate science, and conclude by showing that free markets are the best “policy”.

Lanthorn, Vol. 59, No. 12, February 24, 2025, Grand Valley State University

Volume 59, August 5, 2024 – April 14, 2025

Lanthorn is Grand Valley State's student newspaper, published from 1968 to the present.

Mental Health Seeking Perspectives Of Filipino Immigrants In California, Jonathan Patam Won

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Filipino immigrants have low access to mental healthcare in their native country and a high rate of mental health disorders. The problem that was investigated in this concurrent triangulation mixed-methods study was a lack of understanding regarding how Filipino immigrants to California perceive mental health services. Acculturation theory was used to understand the lived experiences of eight Californian Filipino immigrants who had sought mental health services and seven who had not. All participants had lived in California for at least 10 years. Semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis were employed for the qualitative component. An acculturation questionnaire was used to gather …