Digital Commons Network^™

Network Analysis: An Application Of Graph Theory In Biology, Kiana Dunbar

Honors Theses

Graphs are simple, visual representations of entities as nodes connected by edges. They are used to convey relationships within a system. Networks are comprised of interrelated entities that are not easily separable, producing complex, structured data. These can be seen in social groups, highway systems, and even in biological systems. This paper surveys concepts in graph theory for application to the analysis of network data to understand disease. The features of graphs provide a useful framework for thinking about relationships between different genes or proteins. The structure of graphs is also compatible with a variety of machine learning tools. Especially …

Sex Or Survival: Does Wounding Elicit A Somatic Reproductive Tradeoff In Narnia Femorata Males?, Lillian E. Burbulis

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

Animals must partition resources into different life history traits resulting in tradeoffs because resources are finite. A tradeoff is the allocation of resources to one trait over another. Theory states that energy is allocated in a hierarchical fashion. For example, somatic maintenance should be a higher priority than reproduction, resulting in more resources being allocated to somatic maintenance compared to reproductive traits. The metabolic investment hypothesis states that energy must follow a hierarchical order prioritizing somatic maintenance over reproduction. Another hypothesis for energy allocation is the terminal investment hypothesis. This hypothesis states that energy will be allocated to reproduction over …

Prevalence Of Low Energy (Lea) Risk In Division Iii Female Distance Athletes, Ciara Murphy

Masters Theses/Capstone Projects

Context 

Low energy availability (LEA) occurs when energy intake is insufficient to support normal physiological functions after exercise (Loucks, 2011). Prolonged LEA can negatively affect metabolic functions, reproductive health, and bone density, and contribute to the development of the female athlete triad and relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S) (Papageorgiou, 2017).

Objective

The objective of this study was to explore the prevalence of LEA among Division III female distance athletes.

Design

Cross-sectional study

Setting

Online questionnaire administered through Qualtrics

Participants 

A total of 12 Division III female distance athletes (ages 18-23).

Intervention

Anonymous, electronic questionnaire assessing symptoms associated with low …

Physical Therapy Treatments In Rotator Cuff Muscular Tear Injuries Without Surgical Operation, Rickeisha Caesar

Honors Capstones

This study highlights physical therapy treatment options available for patients who have a rotator cuff tear but are unable to receive surgery. Cadaver dissections and plastic model photos of the rotator cuff are included to give a visual of the anatomy and importance of the muscles. Interviews with licensed physical therapists are conducted for direct information on the process of understanding the limitations of a rotator cuff tear and what treatments are most effective in patients’ recovery process, whether it’s a partial or full tear. Collectively, the project findings enhance the understanding of why specific anatomical structures are intentionally targeted …

Occupational Stressors And Health Impacts Among First Responders, Mason N. Roach

Honors College Theses

The United States 911 emergency response system is an interconnected web of public services that seeks to provide its community with care, resources, and safety in times of need. However, the impact of this support on the employees providing the service often goes unnoticed. This review identifies and analyzes the unique strains on first responders' physical and mental health using the Job Demand-Control Model and the Allostatic Load Model. A review of available research literature supports the conclusion that occupational-related stress, including trauma exposure, shift work, poor leadership, and inadequate communication, can have long-lasting negative impacts on provider health.

All For The Good Of The Cause, Joci D. Hasson

Nonprofit and NGO Studies Student Projects

This capstone project investigates how mid-level employees perceive leadership management styles and how these approaches shape the nonprofit work environment. Employees in nonprofit organizations are often passionate about the mission. Good leaders use that passion to foster engagement and satisfaction. Toxic leadership, however, leaves employees less passionate and motivated. Existing literature suggests that this passion may be taken advantage of, leading to increased stress, burnout, and lowering workplace morale. Using both qualitative and quantitative data collected through surveys and interviews sent out to 250 Northern Illinois University alumni who are working in the nonprofit field. The findings reveal that leadership …

Quantitative Fluorescence Imaging Using A Paired Agent Approach For Improving Surgical Decision Making, Sanjana Pannem

Dartmouth College Ph.D Dissertations

Surgical resection remains to be the cornerstone of treatment for most solid tumors, where the primary objective is to remove all visible and microscopic disease. However, the extent of tumor resection is inherently limited by the surgeon’s ability to distinguish tumor from normal tissue, intraoperatively. As a result, positive surgical margins (PSM), where residual tumor remains after surgery, are a common occurrence and are associated with increased recurrence, need for adjuvant therapies, dismal patient outcomes, and high healthcare costs.

Fluorescence guided surgery (FGS) has emerged as a promising technique to enhance intraoperative visualization of tumors and may help reduce the …

Facsimiles, Russell Soh

Student Theses

An excerpt:

Hi Everyone, I’m currently in the process of organizing and sketching out a series of prose proems based on a small multitude of notes I’ve accrued over the last six months. These notes are essentially notes towards the writing of various poems (around 8). The idea is basically to turn these notes, or these would-be poems, into a series of abstracted ‘facsimiles’, like tangible ghosts trapped in a simulacrum of the poem. I need to be reacquainted with the prose poem, or at least my idea of it.

Poppy's Eye, Clementine Morse

Student Theses

A collection of poetry.

Wellness By Design: Leadership And Learning Practices For Well-Being In Arts Management, Ashleigh Olander

Student Theses

Leading with a culture of care is the art of wellness-based design. The arts are often seen as places for healing and community connection; however, arts institutions themselves frequently function in ways that undermine well-being. The systems in place do not promote wellness, nor do they dedicate resources to maintaining the vitality of staff. Wellness initiatives in the arts are ordinarily based on programming, rather than embedded into the foundation of the organization. Although engaging with the arts as a whole elevates wellness, it is challenging to find an arts institution designed with wellness practices in mind. There is a …

Catalyzing Learner-Centered Ecosystems In Pennsylvania For A Future Of Human Thriving, Danielle S. Shylit

Graduate Theses & Dissertations

School-centric education has failed to produce equitable outcomes for Pennsylvania's learners. Declining student engagement, widening opportunity gaps, and the demoralization of educators and leaders escalate an urgent need to shift systems, mindsets, and praxis from a school-centric to a learner-centric paradigm. This action research dissertation elevates what is learned at individual, group, and system levels through disciplined inquiry with aligned district public education leaders in Pennsylvania willing to co-create learner-centered ecosystems with community stakeholders for a future of human thriving. Grounded in Education Reimagined's definition of Learner-Centered Ecosystems, and the theoretical frameworks of Bryk et al.'s Networked Improvement Communities and …

Implementation And Validation Of A Custom Instruction Set Architecture In An Fpga Environment, Esther Elaina Stokes

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Socializing Stem: Analyzing The Effects Of Stem Pedagogy, Communication, And Culture On Stem Student's Holistic Development, Jalynn B. Whitfield

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Between Care And Compliance: A Mixed-Methods Examination Of Social Workers' Perspectives On Behavior Contracts In Healthcare, Katelyn E. Murphy

Social Work Doctoral Dissertations

Behavior contracts are frequently used in healthcare environments to manage behaviors labeled as disruptive; however, their use presents many ethical, legal, and practical concerns. This mixed-methods study examined behavior contracts through a social work lens, with particular attention to their impact on patient-centered care, professional ethics, and the patient–provider relationship. Based on the Person-in-Environment theory and core bioethical principles, the quantitative aspect of the study assessed healthcare social workers’ attitudes regarding the ethical implications of behavior contracts and their alignment with patient-centered care. The study looked further at how these perceptions differed based on years of professional experience as a …

Dissolved Nostalgia, Mckenna Ludmilla Brazie

Theses

No memory is eternal, no nostalgic experience is entirely authentic. This mantra is the catalyst for my thesis work, propelling the hunt for truth within my mind. I search through dissolving recollections and misplaced emotion in order to obtain some semblance of my life and how I feel about such experiences. While acknowledging my childhood, GenZ zeitgeist, metaphor, and surrealism through the ages, I strive to represent these findings in my large scale oil paintings. I refer to Fauves, surrealists, and landscape painters, among others to assist in my quest for personal truth. My paintings exist in the context of …

Torque Performance And Material Characterization Of Post-Consumer Recycled Polypropylene Caps: A Comparative Study Of Virgin, 40% Pcr, And 100% Pcr Closures On 100% Pcr Hdpe Detergent Bottles, Sivani Kancharla

Theses

This study investigates the effect of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content on the application and removal torque of 28/400 continuous-thread polypropylene caps tested against 100% PCR high-density polyethylene (HDPE) detergent bottles. Three cap material variables were evaluated: virgin PP (0% PCR), 40% PCR PP, and 100% PCR PP. Torque testing was conducted using the VIBRAC 2100 Cap Inspector with an application torque set at 14 in-lb. Testing was performed in triplicate across three time intervals: 0, 30, and 60 minutes, over three runs, yielding 27 measurements per cap variable. An additional dwell-time test assessed the effect of stationary time on torque …

The Hollywood Rap And Trap Culture Industry And Its Portrayal Of Crime, Youth Socialization, And Anti-Social Behavioral Norms, Ishika Sen

Honors Theses

This thesis synthesizes and reflects on media effects and hip-hop studies to examine how the Hollywood rap/trap industry participates in the influence of normalization of crime and anti-social behaviors, substance use, and the sexualization of women among youth (ages 13–21). I integrate analytic evidence on media violence with lyric/content analyses of rap and critiques of the criminal justice system in hip-hop. Specific subtopics from my outline include: theoretical frameworks (media-violence, social learning, cultivation, cultural criminology); corporate marketing and social-media amplification; youth vulnerability; and three patterned domains which include substance abuse, gun violence, and the sexualization of women, often leading to …

Picc-Pal: A Support Band For Independent Picc Line Use, Kylie Luker

Honors Theses

This project presents the design and evaluation of PICC-PAL, a wearable assistive device intended to improve independence and usability for patients managing peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC lines) at home. Current at-home PICC line management often requires help due to the fine motor skills needed to connect and secure tubing. This increases reliance on caregivers and introduces potential risks such as infection and dislodgement. Through stakeholder analysis, prior art evaluation, and iterative prototyping, a device was developed to stabilize the PICC line lumen and enable one-handed connection of medical tubing. Throughout the project, multiple design concepts were explored, with the …

Multicultural, Trauma‑Informed Feeding Protocols For Children With Spd In Student‑Led Ot Clinics, Matt Crummel

Capstone Projects

This capstone project aims to develop and implement feeding protocols for children with sensory processing disorders in a student-led occupational therapy clinic, emphasizing trauma-informed care and multicultural practices. By creating evidence-based interventions and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the project seeks to enhance therapeutic outcomes while providing OT students with hands-on learning experiences. OT is a healthcare profession that enhances individuals’ independence in daily activities through personalized interventions targeting physical, sensory, and cognitive skills. Student-led OT clinics offer a valuable learning environment where students work under licensed clinicians to provide therapeutic care.

Sensory processing disorders (SPD) significantly impact feeding behaviors, often leading …

Understanding Higher Education Resources: A Critical Policy Analysis Of The Fafsa Simplification Act Of 2019 Implementation At A Private, Catholic University, Jasmine Hamm

LMU Theses and Dissertations

The qualitative study examined a private, Catholic university’s implementation of the FAFSA Simplification Act of 2019 alongside the broader, layered federal and state policies involved in financial aid award allocation in higher education (Glaser & Strauss, 1967; Rubin & Rubin, 2011; Strauss & Corbin, 1990). Critical Policy Analysis and Institutional Theory guided the research in examining (1) policy development, (2) implementation, (3) external pressures, and (4) organizational adaptation (Diem et al., 2014; Meyer & Rowan, 1977). Eight administrators and staff members who worked in the Enrollment Management Division and the Financial Aid Office were interviewed regarding the implementation of the …

Genetic Variation In Slc6a4 And Cytochrome P450 Enzymes: Implications For Personalized Antidepressant Treatment In Major Depressive Disorder, Claudia Buda

Harriet L Wilkes Honors College Theses 2020 - Present

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders worldwide, with a significant impact on quality of life and global health. Despite the widespread use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) as first-line treatment, individual responses vary significantly due to genetic differences. Variations in the serotonin transporter gene (SLC6A4) and the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzyme family have been identified as key factors influencing the efficacy, metabolism, and tolerability of SSRIs. This thesis examines the impact of polymorphisms in SLC6A4 and CYP450 on SSRI pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, explores their potential for guiding personalized antidepressant therapy, and discusses the ethical and practical …

A Two-Phase Hippocampal Code Linking Time And Distance Estimation To Action, Raphael Heldman

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

A critical component of spatial navigation is the ability to estimate elapsed time or distance traveled. How the brain generates such estimates and links them to behavior remains unclear. In this thesis, we identify a previously unrecognized population coding strategy for time or distance in hippocampal CA1, a region critical for navigation and memory. Using novel behavioral paradigms in head-fixed mice combined with electrophysiological recordings, we show that this code is carried by two functionally distinct subpopulations of pyramidal neurons, termed PyrUp and PyrDown, whose firing rates evolve in opposite directions during navigation. Both populations exhibit a common two-phase dynamic: …

Assessment Of Morphological Differences And Genetic Variation In Head Shape Of Florida Pompano Trachinotus Carolinus, Neriah Nicholas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Genomics research can inform selective breeding programs to improve broodstock and seedstock quality for the U.S. warmwater marine finfish aquaculture industry. Florida pompano Trachinotus carolinus serves as a model species for the industry due to its commercial value and ability to spawn in captivity. This study examined a growth abnormality observed in commercially produced juveniles in partnership with Aquaco Farms LLC. Twenty fish were collected, culled, and euthanized by Aquaco staff, then classified into two head types: “normal” and “concaved”. Eleven morphological measurements were recorded before and after freezing to assess head variation and storage effects. DNA from pectoral fin …

Age-Dependent Effects Of Mkp-2 Deletion On Glucose Homeostasis In Female Mice, Laura Rain Chambliss

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Comparing Thermally Modified And Classical Cold Pools: Surface Thermal Evolution And Propagation Behavior, Tana Ann Gobble

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Staff Education To Improve Culturally Responsive Mental Health Care For African Immigrants, Martha Eseh

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Mental health disparities among African immigrant populations are often influenced by cultural stigma, limited mental health literacy, and providers’ insufficient understanding of culturally specific beliefs and help-seeking behaviors. In outpatient psychiatric settings, these gaps can negatively affect engagement, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to evaluate whether a structured staff education program could improve provider knowledge of culturally responsive care for African immigrant patients. Guided by the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice model, a pretest–posttest design was implemented with 13 interprofessional staff members, including psychiatric providers, therapists, and support staff, in an outpatient mental health …

Lived Experiences Of Black Counselor Educator Mothers: Intersecting Identities In Academic And Professional Spaces, Althea Genae Collins

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Black counselor educator mothers navigate intersecting identities. Despite growing attention to women of color, scholarship remains limited on how Black counselor educator mothers manage caregiving and professional duties. This gap contributes to practices that overlook labor, taxation, and strains that affect retention and the ability to thrive. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to answer the question of what the lived experiences of Black counselor educator mothers are as they navigate the intersecting identities of race, gender, and motherhood in their personal and professional lives. This study also answered the question of what meaning Black counselor educator mothers …

Empowering Nurses To Save Lives: Suicide Prevention Education And Training For Outpatient Nurses In Prince George’S County, Maryland, Oludoyin O. Ajala

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Suicide remains a significant public health concern, with increasing prevalence across diverse populations. Outpatient nurses frequently encounter individuals at risk for suicide; however, many report limited confidence and inconsistent use of evidence-based assessment tools, contributing to missed opportunities for early intervention. The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice staff education project was to implement a structured suicide prevention education program to improve nurses’ knowledge, confidence, and ability to identify and manage suicide risk. The practice-focused question examined whether implementing a structured suicide prevention education program for outpatient nurses would increase knowledge and confidence in identifying and intervening with patients …

A Grounded Theory Approach To Explaining Leadership And Leadership Processes Among Oncology Social Workers, Larmender Amia Davis

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The absence of comprehensive field-specific leadership theories leaves oncology social work leaders insufficiently equipped to navigate organizational challenges such as policy shifts, financial pressures, and workforce dynamics. The purpose of this qualitative grounded theory study was to generate an explanatory theory of leadership grounded in the experiences of social work leaders practicing in oncology settings. The grounded theory and a conceptual framework on leadership processes, ethical identity, and organizational context guided this study. Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 12 oncology social work leaders in the United States. Five categories emerged and were analyzed using the constant comparative method: …

Staff Education On Structured Phq-9 Administration To Enhance Depression Screening In Outpatient Mental Health Care, Zekarias F. Abessa

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

In outpatient mental health settings, inconsistent use of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) due to gaps in knowledge and lack of standardized training can lead to missed opportunities for early identification of depression and delayed treatment. Mental health nurses play a key role in screening and early intervention, underscoring the criticality of this role in practice. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project explored whether a structured PHQ-9 staff education program could improve staff knowledge compared to baseline practice. The project involved using an intervention-based quality improvement design to enhance staff knowledge of administering and interpreting the PHQ-9 screening tool. …