Digital Commons Network^™

Integration Of Fluorescence Imaging And Advanced Analytical Techniques For Reliable Contamination Detection, Mahsa Aliee

Theses and Dissertations

Effective surface contamination detection in food processing and healthcare environments is hindered by the limitations of visual inspection and ATP bioluminescence testing, both of which struggle to identify thin, transparent, or spatially irregular organic residues. These constraints contribute to inconsistent hygiene verification and create a need for objective, scalable, and real-time detection methods capable of operating under variable environmental conditions.

This dissertation develops an integrated framework that combines UV-induced fluorescence imaging with advanced analytical techniques to improve contamination detection reliability. A UV/UVC fluorescence imaging system was engineered with synchronized pulsed excitation (275 nm, 365 nm, 405 nm), adaptive exposure control, …

The Role Of Attitude Ambivalence In Extending The Theory Of Planned Behavior: A Mixed-Methods Study Of Factors Predicting Influenza Vaccine Uptake Intentions Among Active-Duty Military Parents For Themselves And Their Children, Walter Eugene Carroll

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation is a mixed-methods study examining how U.S. military parents form intentions to vaccinate themselves and their children against influenza. The study applies the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the construct of ambivalence tounderstand how attitudes, social norms, and perceived behavioral control influence vaccination decisions within the unique institutional and cultural environment of military life. Quantitative data were collected from 341 military parents through an online survey distributed across more than 50 military-affiliated Facebook groups. Regression models tested TPB constructs, flu knowledge, and social media use as predictors of vaccination intention and ambivalence. Results showed that flu shot …

Examining The Utility Of Haptic Feedback To Improve Pilot Situational Awareness & Performance: A Psychophysiological Approach, Jessica Van Bree

Theses and Dissertations

Pilot situational awareness (SA) has been deemed to be a critical component of flight efficacy, efficiency, and overall mission success. Studies have shown that several incidents and accidents have been the result of level-one SA errors, meaning that members of the flight crew have failed to accurately perceive the elements in their environments. As such, several strategies have been investigated to improve pilot SA. One potential avenue of research is the addition of haptics in to the flight deck. In some studies, the implementation of haptics have shown to improve piloting tasks, pilot safety, and aircraft control. The current study …

Optimizing Virtual Reality User Experience With Balanced Integration Of Quality Attributes, Ananth Ramaseri

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a real-time adaptive framework for mitigating cybersickness and enhancing user experience in virtual reality (VR) environments by dynamically adjusting key visual rendering parameters in response to users’ head movements. Conventional VR systems typically rely on fixed or manually configured settings that do not account for individual motion patterns or varying susceptibility to discomfort, leading to suboptimal usability and degraded immersion. In response, this work integrates software architecture tactics with data-driven machine learning models to proactively manage cybersickness while preserving rendering performance.

The proposed system employs a client–server architecture based on the Model-View-Controller (MVC) pattern. We conducted a …

The Role Of C-X-C Chemokine Receptor Type 5 (Cxcr5) On Sex-Dependent Neurobehavioral Changes In The Sub Clinically Sensitized Individuals With Repeated Allergen Exposure, Dilini Vimarshani Ekanayake Ekanayake Mudiyanselage

Theses and Dissertations

Food allergen consumption has been suspected to influence mood and behavior in individuals who are sensitized but tolerant to the food. Using a mouse model of subclinical cow’s milk allergy (CMA), we previously showed that C57BL/6J mice sensitized to β-lactoglobulin (BLG, Bos d 5) exhibited elevated BLG-specific IgE levels even without observable allergic reactions, suggest developing immune responses towards the allergen. We also observed elevated cytokine and chemokine levels, astrogliosis and cortical demyelination along with behavioral changes such as anxiety-like and depression-like behavior after consuming a whey-containing diet for two weeks. Furthermore, we demonstrated the possible immune cell infiltration and …

Integrating Cognitive And Visual Scanning Strategies In Flight Instruction: Effects On Student Pilots’ Learning During Approach And Landing, Hyungwoo Jo

Theses and Dissertations

This interdisciplinary study employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods design to advance innovation in aviation education by incorporating eye tracking technology with enhanced performance traceability through visual modeling and comparative feedback. Specifically, the study investigated student pilots’ scanning behavior, cognitive strategies, and proficiency development on a normal approach and landing task by modeling flight instructors’ cognitive behavior. The first research phase revealed statistically significant differences in scanning ratios between 10 flight instructors and 10 student pilots along with substantial performance variation. The result showed that student pilots exhibited excessive outside fixation, often failing to monitor or respond to energy management in …

Thermodynamic Evaluation Of The Thermal Methane Pyrolysis Process, Chinaecherem S. Okwuonu

Theses and Dissertations

Natural gas flaring is a persistent challenge which undermines global sustainability and decarbonization efforts as it leads to the waste of valuable energy resources alongside the release of harmful greenhouse gases into the environment. Even when natural gas is utilized through commonly adopted pathways, significant emission of carbon dioxide tends to be realized. Methane pyrolysis offers a promising route in which methane can be decomposed into solid carbon and hydrogen gas with no direct CO2 emissions. However, despite extensive studies of the methane pyrolysis process, a fundamental thermodynamic rationale of the process behavior remains insufficiently explored. This study 1) develops …

Microbial Communities And Host Plants Of Megachilidae In The Greater Grand Forks Area (Ggfa), Sara Margit Wallace

Theses and Dissertations

Although Megachilidae are important pollinators in the United States, there is still much to learn about the health and functionality of these bees. Megachilids are threatened by competition from non-native pollinators and other environmental factors. The species distribution and composition of the gut microbiome in megachilid bees are not well known for the Greater Grand Forks Area (GGFA). My research seeks to answer the questions: what megachilid species are in the GGFA, where are they, and what symbionts are in their gut microbiomes? I collected and identified solitary bee specimens from North Dakota and Minnesota, dissected their gut contents, and …

Understanding Ai Literacy: Implications For Practice​, Devon Olson, Janet Anderson, Sara Westall

Librarian Publications

Presentation from the 2025 Mountain Plains Library Association Tri-Conference, held in Grand Forks, ND. This presentation provides an overview of basic AI concepts and frameworks for AI literacy, discussing the impact of different patron and learner demographics on learner needs, competencies, and instructional strategies.

Cultivating Deia Skills In Open Education Research: The Impact Of Targeted Fellowship Support, Virginia Clinton-Lisell, Jasmine Roberts-Crews

Education, Health & Behavior Studies Faculty Publications

In order to conduct effective research in open education, one needs skills in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. To address this need, a DEIA expert provided consultation to the members and mentor of a fellowship for open education researchers. After completing the fellowship, the researchers were asked to complete a survey about DEIA research skill development during the fellowship and their perceived challenges in DEIA research. Fellows (N = 42) across cohorts indicated growth in DEIA research skills during the fellowship. Notably, fellows who received DEIA consultation described more sophisticated development of DEIA research skills than fellows without the consultation. …

Open Access In The Age Of Ai: Rights, Access, And What Comes Next, Brittany Fischer, Meaghan Farrell

Librarian Posters and Presentations

This workshop aims to explain the evolving role of Open Access (OA) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in scholarly publishing, including how publishers and platforms are using AI technologies. Attendees should afterwards be able to understand author rights in the context of OA and AI and recognize the importance of reviewing publishing contracts. We will also discuss how to use AI tools to discover and evaluate Open Access content, with awareness of the opportunities and challenges posed by AI-generated material.

Financial And Behavioral Health For Helping Professionals, Jeffrey Anvari-Clark

Books

This open access book brings together decades of research and practice on the intersections among financial and behavioral health concerns. By framing financial health as comprised of financial precarity, financial efficacy, and financial well-being, this new addition to the field of behavioral health helps readers understand and address the surge of interest in financial health and wellness from a holistic, psychosocial perspective. The text explores not only how financial difficulties impose hardship on individuals, couples, and families, but also how these concerns shape our feelings, perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors and thereby our health. Case examples throughout illustrate the concepts and …

Examining Student Resource Choice, Perception, And Self-Regulation In A Flipped Undergraduate Microbiology Lecture Course, Sarah Sletten

Biomedical Sciences Faculty Publications

This study examines student resource choice, perceptions, and self-regulated learning (SRL) in preparation for a flipped undergraduate microbiology course. Drawing on Expectancy-Value Theory, the investigation explored whether students prefer video lectures or complete note sets for pre-class preparation, how SRL strategies evolve over time, and the relationship between flipped classroom perceptions and in-class engagement. Data were collected across multiple course units using surveys—including a modified Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire—and analysis of resource selection and classroom participation. The results indicate a strong and increasing preference for slides over video lectures. Additionally, significant increases in higher-order cognitive strategies were observed alongside …

Imposter Phenomenon In A New Library Position, Karlene T. Clark

Librarian Posters and Presentations

This past year, Karlene moved into a reference position and went through a period of self doubt. This presentation will provide resources for others going through transitions at work, including academic resources and ways to calm and reassure yourself.

Factsheet: Protecting Oral Tradition By Promoting Oral Health Among Native Elders In North Dakota, Shawnda Schroeder

Indigenous Health Faculty Publications

Native Elders (65+) in the United States are 2.5 times more likely to have untreated cavities than non-Native Elders (40% compared to 16%). Native Elders are also twice as likely to have severe gum disease (20% compared to 9%). This factsheet shares the connection between oral health and overall health, and ways to take care of teeth later in life.

Report: Healthy Smiles Shouldn't Wait: Preventive Dental Care For Kindergartners In North Dakota, Nishat Sultana, Shawnda Schroeder

Indigenous Health Faculty Publications

Taking care of children’s teeth early helps them start school ready to learn, without pain or urgent dental needs. Over the last five years, however, the percentage of kindergartners in North Dakota who had never visited the dentist had increased from 32% during the 2021-21 school year to nearly one in two (49%) in the most recent school year. These data and other trends from the North Dakota school-based sealant program are presented in this infographic.

Who Owns Our Knowledge: Open Access Week 2025, Devon Olson, Rosemary Pleva Flynn, Zeineb Yousif

Librarian Publications

Commemorating Open Access Week 2025, this zine includes educational content on concepts central to open access scholarship as well as games and activities, and comics illustrating reader feedback to works posted on UND's Scholarly Commons.

Factsheet: Taking Care Of Your Teeth Later In Life, Shawnda Schroeder

Indigenous Health Faculty Publications

More than 30% of North Dakota adults age 65 and older have lost six or more teeth which is nearly three times higher than the U.S. average (11.7%). Likewise, 17% of older adults in North Dakota report complete tooth loss compared to just 6% nationally. This factsheet shares the connection between oral health and overall health, and ways to take care of teeth later in life.

Leads Data Insights: Affinity Core Value Metrics Summary — Fall 2025, University Of North Dakota

LEADS Development Documents

Summary and analysis of Fall 2025 metrics for the AFFINITY core value of UND LEADS. The document reviews levels of achievement and changes since Spring 2025 for Affinity strategic priorities, including campus environments, workforce retention, first-year experience, athletic excellence, global engagement, and military-friendly initiatives.

Leads Data Insights: Affinity — Fall 2025, University Of North Dakota

LEADS Development Documents

Presentation of Fall 2025 data insights for the AFFINITY core value of UND LEADS. The slides summarize Activity Inventory and UND Today story coverage, compare Affinity progress between April 2025 and January 2026, and review outcome measures connected to belonging, workforce retention, first-year experience, athletics, global engagement, and military-affiliated students.

Leads Data Insights: Affinity Core Value Metrics Summary — Fall 2025, University Of North Dakota

LEADS Implementation Documents

Summary and analysis of Fall 2025 metrics for the AFFINITY core value of UND LEADS. The document reviews levels of achievement and changes since Spring 2025 for Affinity strategic priorities, including campus environments, workforce retention, first-year experience, athletic excellence, global engagement, and military-friendly initiatives.

Leads Data Insights: Affinity — Fall 2025, University Of North Dakota

LEADS Implementation Documents

Presentation of Fall 2025 data insights for the AFFINITY core value of UND LEADS. The slides summarize Activity Inventory and UND Today story coverage, compare Affinity progress between April 2025 and January 2026, and review outcome measures connected to belonging, workforce retention, first-year experience, athletics, global engagement, and military-affiliated students.

"Cruel Memories," Song Lyrics, Undated, Bill Gessner

Bill Gessner Song Lyrics and Poems

Song lyrics for "Cruel Memories" by Bill Gessner. Seven pages total, including one double-sided page. The typewritten pages include multiple versions of the lyrics, with some pages including handwritten marks and notes; some notes and suggested revisions appear on yellow post-it notes affixed to the sheets of paper. The song is at least partly concerned with changes and restrictions to diet.

Prairie Soundscape, Rebecca J. Romsdahl

The Cicadian

This series of soundscapes represents dawn and dusk. Morning Cacophony was recorded at 6:00 AM, May 2023 on the Tympanuchus Reserve near Crookston, MN — a rare remnant prairie never plowed. Voices of the prairie: sedge wren, bobolink, greater prairie chicken, sandhill crane, red-winged blackbird, clay-colored sparrow. Night Chorus was captured at 2:00 AM, June 2024 on restored grassland at Bluestem Preserve near Moorhead, MN — once farmland, now thriving prairie. Nocturnal symphony: whip-poor-will (song + warning call), coyotes, treefrogs, grasshopper sparrow, soft wind, gentle rain.

Matrescence, Erin Kunz

The Cicadian

Kunz reflects on her transformation into motherhood, describing the physical, emotional, and psychological shifts that accompany the process known as matrescence. Through vivid memories of childhood and early parenting, she explores the complexities of maternal love, especially for women who did not receive unconditional love themselves. Her rocking chair becomes a symbol of nurturing and endurance, where she gave everything to her children while grappling with her own identity. Erin also highlights the supportive role of her partner, challenging traditional gender norms and celebrating shared caregiving. As her children grow, she mourns the environmental changes that have altered the …

Cicadian Rhythms: The 2024 Cicada Emergence, Farah Davis

The Cicadian

In Cicadian Rhythms, Farah Davis recounts the rare 2024 dual emergence of cicada broods XIII and XIX, which appeared weeks early due to climate change. She explains how cicadas use tree sap and soil temperature to time their emergence, and how warming trends are disrupting these ancient cycles. The essay blends personal observation with scientific insight, showing how even backyard phenomena reflect broader environmental shifts. Davis emphasizes the ecological importance of cicadas and the cascading effects of climate disruption on ecosystems. Ultimately, she calls for greater awareness and stewardship in the face of accelerating climate change.

Effect Of Whole-Food Plant-Based Diet On Ldl Cholesterol: A Scoping Literature Review, Joel Gregory Mueller

Nursing Capstones

Background: The whole-food, plant-based (WFPB) diet includes whole grains, whole plants, unrefined sugars, beans, and legumes. The diet excludes meat, dairy, and added fats. The diet has been popularized by documentaries .The diet claims to lower total and LDL cholesterol to a safe level as both a primary and secondary mode of prevention.

Purpose: Review existing studies to see whether the WFPB diet will lower LDL cholesterol in adult males over a 14 day or more duration.

Methods: A scoping literature review was completed of the University of North Dakota’s library system for keyword combinations. The returned 102 studies were …

Summer Commencement: August 8, 2025, University Of North Dakota

UND Commencement Programs

UND Summer Commencement program from August 8, 2025.

Indigenous Gut Health, Tasha Vivier Morin

Indigenous Health Student Publications

Indigenous gut health is a critical but often overlooked determinant of overall well-being. Gut health encompasses digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function, and the balance of the microbiome. Indigenous communities face unique challenges related to geography, food access, and the legacy of colonization, all of which affect dietary diversity and microbiome health. Drawing from the Health Belief Model, this project proposes a culturally responsive, education-based intervention to increase awareness of fiber-rich diets and their role in preventing chronic disease. The intervention aims to address upstream factors such as food access and health literacy, particularly among Indigenous families. Traditional diets once supported …

Exploring Open Pedagogy Principles: A Qualitative Study Of Undergraduate Experiences, Staci Gilpin, Stephanie Rollag Yoon, Virginia Clinton-Lisell

Education, Health & Behavior Studies Faculty Publications

Open pedagogy, characterisedby students creating or co-creating artefacts that others may use, offers transformative opportunities for students to move beyond passive learning into active content creation. This qualitative study examines the experiences of 25 undergraduate students who engage with open pedagogy principles, including creation-centred learning, collaboration, audience engagement, and the integration of Open Educational Resources (OER) and Creative Commons (CC) licensing. Using surveys and interviews, we identified three key themes: the importance of real audiences, authentic connections over prescribed collaborations, and rethinking the role of Creative Commons. Findings suggest that open pedagogy enhances student engagement and provides meaningful, real-world applications …