Digital Commons Network^™

Climate Change And The Global Nutrient Overload: The Microbial Response Of Extreme Waterbodies To Environmental Change, Samuel P. Bratsman

Theses and Dissertations

One of the defining characteristics of our current epoch—the Anthropocene—is modification of nutrient cycles. At regional to global scales, humans have fundamentally reshaped the availability of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus. These changes are particularly apparent in freshwater ecosystems, which receive surface and groundwater inputs of nutrients from agriculture, fossil fuel use, and wastewater. In this thesis, I investigated how the addition of nutrients affects microbial community and biogeochemistry in two extreme environments: the hypereutrophic shallow Utah Lake and nutrient-limited Arctic permafrost streams. In my first chapter, I used bioassay and dilution bioassay experiments to identify what factors control harmful algal …

Understanding And Working Through Self-Harm, Maya Wilde

Student Works

Self-harm is a coping strategy used by many adolescents dealing with mental disorders. Fifteen articles from academic journals published between 2012 and 2022 were examined. Those who struggle with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) experience overactivation in the fronto-limbic system of the brain, which includes the amygdala (Kaess et al., 2021). Self-harm decreases activity and stress in the amygdala and increases the amount of dopamine in the brain (Kaess et al., 2021; Reitz et al., 2015). Self-harm may be used as a way to regulate negative affect. Seeing blood might be a significant part of an episode of NSSI, but it is …

Improvement Of Ex Vivo Testing Methods For Spine Biomechanical Characterization, Aubrie Lisa Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation contributed three main areas to flexibility testing and biomechanical characterization of human spinal segments. The first was a literature review of existing testing methodology, the second examined common spine fixation procedures, and the third developed an improved fixation method. Spine biomechanical characterization is the primary technique for assessing the healthy, diseased, and surgically treated response of spinal tissues. However, despite decades of use, no standard testing protocol or reporting methodology for flexibility testing conditions has been established. As part of the present work, a comprehensive, systematic literature review was performed, and the methods sections of 242 relevant journal …

Reporting Verb Variation Across Disciplines: An Academic Corpus Study, Grant Eckstein, Jacob D. Rawlins, Hannah Taylor, Haley Briggs, Andrea Candland, Elizabeth Hanks, Sarah Hill

Faculty Publications

Reporting verbs are used in academic writing to establish authorial voice when referencing previous research. Although the practice is widespread, inexperienced academic writers and second-language learners may struggle to select appropriate reporting verbs within their given discipline or may overuse them in ways that signal outsider status. The present study explores the distribution of reporting verbs across six disciplines in a corpus containing 270 academic research background sections (introduction and literature review). The results illustrate that disciplines vary widely in the number and type of reporting verbs used. While common reporting verbs across disciplines include argue, examine, report …

Airship Systems Design, Modeling, And Simulation For Social Impact, Daniel C. Richards

Theses and Dissertations

Although there have been oscillations in airship interest since their use in the early 1900s, technological advancements and the need for more flexible and environmentally friendly transportation modes have caused a stream of study and surge in airship development in recent years. For companies and governments to understand how airships can be incorporated into their fleets to fulfil new or existing mission types, system design space exploration is an important step in understanding airships, their uses, and their design parameters. A decision support system (DSS), Design Exploration of Lighter-Than-Air Systems (DELTAS), was developed to help stakeholders with this task. DELTAS …

Analysis Of A Full-Stack Data Analytics Solution Delivering Predictive Maintenance To A Lab-Scale Factory, Nathan Wesley Hoyt

Theses and Dissertations

With the developments of industry 4.0, data analytics solutions and their applications have become more prevalent in the manufacturing industry. Currently, the typical software architecture supporting these solutions is modular, using separate software for data collection, storage, analytics, and visualization. The integration and maintenance of such a solution requires the expertise of an information technology team, making implementation more challenging for small manufacturing enterprises. To allow small manufacturing enterprises to more easily obtain the benefits of industry 4.0 data analytics, a full-stack data analytics framework is presented and its performance evaluated as applied in the common industrial analytics scenario of …

The Apache Wars And The Swiss Sergeant, John Spring, Albert Winkler

Swiss American Historical Society Review

The Apache Wars were a series of conflicts that comprised the longest sequence of confrontations between a Native American Nation and the white Americans of the United States. These largely took place starting with the first US military incursions into the American Southwest in 1846 during the War with Mexico and lasted until Geronimo’s final surrender in 1886. While most of the fighting occurred in the modern US states of Arizona and New Mexico, yet much of the warfare was between the Mexicans and the Apaches dating back to the seventeenth century. Those wars were very costly in lives and …

Full Issue, Albert Winkler, Robert Sherwood

Swiss American Historical Society Review

Full Issue of Volume 58 issue 2 of the Swiss American Historical Society Journal

Obituary For Rosa Lechner Schupbach, Albert Winkler

Swiss American Historical Society Review

No abstract provided.

Treatment Pearls: Management Of Physical Healthcare Needs In Patients With Mental Illness, Leslie W. Miles, Brandon Thatcher, Michael C. Thomas, Blaine Winters

Faculty Publications

Clinicians caring for persons with mental illness should be aware of increased mortality, physical problems, and health disparities in this population. This article provides a brief overview of physical health problems in the context of mental illness as well as those related to psychotropic medications, and discusses strategies to manage treatment effectively.

An Interdisciplinary Approach To Facilitating Positive Outcomes Among Veterans Experiencing Vision Impairment: Applications Of Posttraumatic Growth Theory, Emily Watkins, Corinna Trujillo Tanner

Student Works

Objective: Using an adaptation of Tedeschi and Calhoun’s model of posttraumatic growth (PTG), the psychosocial impact of vision impairment (VI) is contextualized and intervention targets are identified which nurse practitioners may utilize to optimize positive psychosocial outcomes, including PTG, for their veteran patients who are living with VI.

Method: Qualitative and quantitative studies were identified through MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, and CINAHL Complete searches. Limiters included human subjects, English language, and publication through 1996 to 2022. Search terms included vision loss, visual impairment, veterans, military, soldiers, servicemen, servicewomen, posttraumatic growth, positive outcomes, and blindness rehabilitation. Additionally, books by Tedeschi and Moore …

The Power-Duration Relationship Is Just As Reproducible In Females As Males, Despite The Presence Of The Menstrual Cycle, Jessica Joy Linde

Theses and Dissertations

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of the menstrual cycle (MC) on exercise performance across the power-duration relationship (PDR). We hypothesized females would exhibit greater variability in the PDR across the MC than males across a similar timespan, with critical power (PCRIT) and Work prime (W') being lower during the early follicular phase than the late follicular and mid-luteal phases. METHODS: Eumenorrheic, endurance-trained females (n = 10, age = 24.1 ± 5.59) performed multiple constant-load-to-task-failure and maximum-power tests at three time points across the MC (early follicular, late follicular, midluteal phases). Endurance-trained males (n = 10 age = 29.5 ± 9.18) …

Comparing Relative And Absolute Reliability Of Short Versus Long Narrative Retells, Jenna Hollis

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the current study was to examine and compare relative and absolute reliability estimates between brief, linguistically compact narrative retells and longer, more linguistically diffuse narrative retells. The participants included 190 school-age children in firstsixth grade from Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Participants completed two brief narrative retells using the Narrative Language Measures (NLM) Listening subtest of the CUBED assessment and one longer narrative retell using the wordless picture book Frog, Where Are You? (FWAY). These language samples were then analyzed for language productivity, complexity, and story grammar elements using the Systematic Analysis of Language Transcripts software program and …

Defining Dyslexia Within And Across Disciplines: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Ann Marie Trumbo

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: In the present study, we conducted a systematic review to investigate the core features of the definition of dyslexia across different disciplines according to their associated professional organizations and published research in order to evaluate the presence and type of inconsistencies within and across disciplines in how dyslexia is defined. Method: Definition statements of dyslexia from professional organizations in medicine, education, speech-language pathology, psychology, and the International Dyslexia Association were collected via scope of practice guidelines or via the organization's official website. Using a database with a wide disciplinary reach, we collected 764 of the most cited articles from …

The Christian Approach To Psychology, Preston Keller

Student Works

This article analyzes the implications of the current worldview of contemporary psychology and demonstrates that these implications are not compatible with the worldview of a Christian approach to psychology. The contrast between Greek Naturalism and Hebrew Theism are presented as the historical foundations for the worldviews of contemporary psychology and Christianity, respectively. The ontological, epistemological, and ethical assumptions of a Christian approach to psychology are explored. The Christian approach to human flourishing, psychopathology, and psychotherapy are contrasted against contemporary psychology's approach to these three areas. The article concludes by suggesting that the field of contemporary psychology should make space for …

Latest Research In Africa

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

See the latest research in Africa relating to social impact.

Full Issue - Africa

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

What is the latest research in Africa related to nonprofits and social impact? Read about the latest research and statistics in Africa along with trusted nonprofits working in Africa.

Quality Nonprofits In Africa

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Read about a few nonprofits working in Africa.

The Effect Of Two Rate Change Approaches On Speech Movement Patterns, Noelle Marie Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

The current study examined the effect of different rate change approaches on speech movement patterns, including increasing and decreasing speaking rate volitionally, as well as with delayed auditory feedback (DAF). There were 10 participants, five male and five female, with a mean age of 25 years. All were typical speakers. Participants spoke the sentence “Don’t fight or pout over a toy car” under slow, fast and DAF speaking conditions. A total of 5 sensors were glued to each participant’s tongue, teeth, and lips. NDI Wave electromagnetic articulography recorded the articulatory movements from these sensors as the participants spoke. Metrics for …

Contextual Factors Associated With Organizational Learning In Hospitals: An Instrument Development Study, Bret Lyman, Kylie C. Thorum

Faculty Publications

Aim: Develop a valid, reliable research instrument to measure contextual factors associated with organizational learning in hospitals.

Background: A valid, reliable instrument for measuring contextual factors associated with organizational learning is needed so nurse leaders and researchers can improve healthcare by facilitating and studying organizational learning.

Methods: The Organizational Learning in Hospitals model guided development of the Organizational Learning Instrument-Context. Content validity was refined and evaluated through cognitive interviews and expert reviews. The instrument was distributed to direct care nurses in Magnet® hospitals in the United States. Intraclass correlation coefficients validated the use of multilevel analyses. Construct validity was assessed …

Inclusion And Deliberative Dialogues: Exploring Outcomes Of Transformative Experiences For Adolescents, Hadley Robertson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore outcomes of participating in a deliberative dialogue for adolescents. Participants attended a deliberative dialogue facilitated by the primary researcher. After the dialogue, participants completed journal prompts that asked about their experience participating in the dialogue. Results indicated that participation in the dialogues impacted adolescents’ confidence and open-mindedness. Findings also indicated components of atmosphere that contributed to willingness to engage, and strategies participants can use in future conversations. Deliberative dialogues are an avenue for transformative experiences and the data from this study can help experience designers understand these types of experiences for adolescents. …

Full Issue

AWE (A Woman’s Experience)

No abstract provided.

Disproportionate Exposure To Air Pollution For Low-Income Communities In The United States, Elisabeth Currit

Ballard Brief

While air pollution is a major problem in much of the United States, individuals of low socioeconomic status are disproportionately exposed to air pollution compared to wealthier individuals.1 Contributing factors to the problem of disproportionate exposure to air pollution for low-income communities in the United States include lack of emissions regulations and enforcement, disproportionate placement of pollution sources nearby low-income neighborhoods, and the excessive political power of large emitters. The negative consequences that low-income individuals suffer because of this include both physical and mental health as well as impaired cognitive function. NGOs and other organizations are creating programs to help …

Lack Of Access To Insulin Among People With Type 1 Diabetes In The Us, Hannah Randall

Ballard Brief

Insulin is a life-preserving medicine for individuals with type 1 diabetes. Insulin is especially inaccessible in the United States compared to other high-income nations due to patents and production monopolies, insufficient insurance coverage and other barriers to healthcare, and increased use of insulin analogs. As a result. individuals affected by this face a series of challenges, from turning to insulin rationing, and high rates of diabetic ketoacidosis. to a high mental toll. While this remains a complex issue. policy measures may be an effective way to make insulin more accessible for more Americans. Education on the need for better access …

Land Degradation In Rural Tanzania, Seth Ririe

Ballard Brief

Land degradation is the primary environmental issue for the Eastern African country of Tanzania. Due to its effect on crop production, land degradation primarily affects farmers living in rural parts of the country. Unsustainable farming techniques, deforestation, and rainfall variation are the main drivers of land degradation. Victims of land degradation tend to struggle from increased undernutrition, decreased economic well-being, and regular environmental migration. Implementing the principles of conservation agriculture are essential to increasing crop yields and decreasing poverty and undernutrition in Tanzania.

Postpartum Depression Among Adolescent Mothers In The United States, Susan May

Ballard Brief

Adolescent mothers are twice as likely to suffer from postpartum depression than adult mothers. In addition. teen moms are more likely to experience social stigma associated with teenage pregnancy and motherhood. Adolescent mothers also abuse substances at a higher rate than adult mothers, and teen dads are less likely to be involved in parenting responsibilities than adult fathers. These factors associated with teenage mothers cause an increased likelihood of teen moms developing postpartum depression. When mothers suffer from postpartum depression, their children are more at risk for child development problems. fathers are more likely to suffer from depression, and parents …

Food Waste In The United States, Jayden Davis

Ballard Brief

Americans produce billions of pounds of food waste every year. affecting the environment and economy in which they live. The average American throws out more than 400 lbs. (181 kg.) of food annually, which translates to 30%-40% of the total US food supply. Issues including unsustainable practices within the food supply chain, high aesthetic standards for produce among retailers and customers. and uninformed consumer behavior all exacerbate the food waste problem. Among other reasons. the negative consequences of food waste include increased greenhouse gas emissions. wasted and compromised water supplies. and economic losses. Redistributing unwanted or unsold food to organizations …

Navigating The Cold And Flu Aisle: An Evidence-Based Approach For Nurse Practitioners, Elizabeth Edwards

Student Works

Background: The most common illness know is the common cold. Antibiotics are inappropriate for treating the common cold, but there are many over-the-counter medications available. These over-the-counter medications have not been shown to decrease the length of a cold, though they can ease symptoms. In this paper, we aimed to review the active ingredients in recommended OTC cold remedies for the general population and assess the evidence for their effectiveness. We hope this information will provide NPs with evidence-based strategies to help their patients be better prepared to navigate the cold and flu aisle.

Methods: The US News 2020 …

Corruption In Uganda, Jared Saxton

Ballard Brief

Corruption in Uganda accounts for ½ of government expenditure and mainly benefits the rich and well connected. Due to weak and unspecific laws, corruption is often not enforced in the nation. Additionally, when there are adequate laws in place, enforcement agencies often benefit from corruption and are therefore unmotivated to take action against it. Cultural factors mean that corruption is socially acceptable in many cases and is common throughout the nation. Foreign aid props up corrupt government expenditure because funding comes from an external source, and thus, the government feels less accountable to its citizens. Corruption results in poor service …

Inadequate Wash Infrastructure Among Rural Populations In The Pacific Islands, Olivia Wallgreen

Ballard Brief

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) are key aspects for development that allows families to five clean and healthy lives. However. many regions of the world. including the Pacific Islands Region. do not have proper facilities and funding to build or maintain WASH infrastructure. especially in rural areas. About 45% of rural Pacific Islanders lack access to adequate sanitation and 13% lack access to basic drinking water. Natural disasters. climate change, insufficient government action. and difficult geographic features make developing WASH infrastructure challenging. Inadequate WASH infrastructure increases the prevalence of disease and negatively affects the ecosystems of the islands. While these …