Digital Commons Network^™

Full Issue, The Mcnair Team

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

About The Mcnair Scholars Program, The Mcnair Team

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Improving Public Health Initiatives With Social Science: Lessons Learned From Covid-19, Paola A. Puentes

McNair Scholars Research Journal

No abstract provided.

Diversity Matters: The Effect Of Campus Racial Diversity And Cultural Competence On Job Choice, Jillian Daugherty

2020 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

This study investigated the effect of campus racial diversity and level of cultural competence on students’ post-graduate job choices. Two methods were used to answer the research question: 1) a survey of undergraduate students at two of the most diverse and two of the least diverse Texas public universities and 2) a review of relevant scholarly Management literature. The analysis revealed the diversity of the university was an important consideration for students when choosing their post-graduate job. Similarly, analysis revealed cultural competence is an additional indicator of students’ desire for diversity during their job search. These revelations suggest interacting with …

Adolescent Birth Expectations And Psychological Birth Trauma: A Mixed Method Approach, Faith Akinmade

2020 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Published research often describes risk factors for birth trauma among adult populations yet risks for trauma and stress disorders have been found to be higher in adolescents. The aim of this study was to explore birth expectations among a diverse group of low-income adolescents and determine if unmet birth expectations correlated with psychological birth trauma, and to see if younger age (13-16) adolescents held different expectations of birth than older age adolescents (17-19). The Impact of Event Scale (IES) was used to measure psychological birth trauma, and written narratives reflected adolescents’ expectations. Results indicated that birth expectations were not found …

Android Application To Alleviate Stress In Alzheimer Caregivers. An 'Invisible' Crisis: Addressing The Neglect Of Mental Health Burdens In Alzheimer's Caregivers, Chidochashe Pasipanodya

2020 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Alzheimer's is a progressive disease characterized by a gradual loss in memory, thinking skills, and the ability to carry out simple tasks. As a result, patients require caregivers to play a critical role by managing household tasks, aiding in personal care, and performing medical procedures. Caregivers often balance family life and/or a career while averaging between 14- 34 hours weekly on patients. This develops into high levels of depression, anxiety, and low quality of life. Limited resources have left this demographic to suffer alone while bearing the burden of caring for a loved one. A mobile application was created to …

Variances Of Pro-Phenol Oxidases In The Melanin Synthesis Cascade Between Human And Cnidarian Species By Using Cassiopea Xamachana, Ivan Ponce

2020 Fall Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

With the rise of global temperatures, cnidarians are becoming more susceptible to disease within oceanic environments. Cnidarians rely on innate immunity through the melanin synthesis cascade using the pro-phenol oxidase (PPO) “tyrosinase” to combat pathogens. Although the function of vertebrae PPO immune response is well annotated, it is tragically used as a cascade model to understand cnidarian immunity. This study focuses on the relationship between cnidarian, utilizing Cassiopea xamachana, and human melanin synthesis cascades. Bioinformatic programs such as Composition Profiler, Mega-X, SWISS-MODEL, and PFAM were used to analyze these species’ tyrosinases. The data show there were major differences between the …

Adult Literacy In The United States: Comparative Study Of Immigrant And American-Born Adults, Adam Keith Stein

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations - Archive

Despite its status as a wealthy, developed nation, the United States is plagued by widespread deficiencies in adult literacy. The problem is quite severe among individuals who were born in country, yet the situation for the nation’s immigrant population is nothing short of alarming. Using the U.S. portion of the data set for the international 2012/2014 Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies (PIAAC), the study explores the impact of everyday practice on the development of literacy skills among adults aged 16 to 74. Where other studies typically focus on the literacy crisis among America’s school-age children, the present …

Exploring The Relationship Between Student Online Discussion-Board Activity And Student Grades, Frank Robert Talbott

Dissertations

As students, instructors, and higher-education administrators delve further into cyberspace, scholarly literature and practice require further insights into the dynamics of online learning. This study examined the relationship between online student discussionboard activity and student grades and, consequently, addressed a dearth in the literature about this relationship. Student Involvement Theory provided the theoretical foundation of this research. This study’s sample consisted of 200 online undergraduate students in online business-analytics courses. Regression-analyses findings supported the relationship between student postings of certain mathematical-symbol references (e.g., for equalities, inequalities, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) and student grades. Therefore, administrators, faculty, and course designers …

Towards A Working Definition Of Open Pedagogy, Alan Witt

Milne Library

This paper analyzes recent literature on or using the term “open pedagogy” in order to distill a working definition. The term is currently contested, and is discarded completely by some influencers due to a lack of definition and thus usefulness as a rigorous academic term. This study analyzes how researchers currently use the term in the literature, searching for commonalities, with the goal of proposing a synthesis that encompasses the majority of the field and can provide potential common ground for further research on the subject.

The result was a pool of 98 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, which were …

Chronic Pain Treatment Strategies In Parkinson’S Disease, Amber N. Edinoff, Niro Sathivadivel, Timothy Mcbride, Allyson Parker, Chikezie Okeagu, Alan David Kaye, Adam M. Kaye, Jessica S. Kaye, Rachel J. Kaye, Meeta M. Sheth, Omar Viswanath, Ivan Urits

School of Pharmacy Faculty Articles

Neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease (PD), have increased in prevalence and are expected to further increase in the coming decades. In this regard, PD affects around 3% of the population by age 65 and up to 5% of people over the age of 85. PD is a widely described, physically and mentally disabling neurodegenerative disorder. One symptom often poorly recognized and under-treated by health care providers despite being reported as the most common non-motor symptom is the finding of chronic pain. Compared to the general population of similar age, PD patients suffer from a significantly higher level and prevalence of …

Perceptions Of Executive Functions And Self-Care Actions In Major Depressive Disorder., Melanie G. Walters

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation encompasses a study of the effect of impaired executive functions on decision-making and self-care of depressive illness. The first chapter provides an introduction and summarizes the body of literature on the executive functions and its association with depressive symptoms. The second chapter contains the second of two systematic reviews which examines conceptualizations of executive functions, classical and current measures used to assess the executive functions, and challenges and limitations related to current methods of assessment. The third chapter describes the development of a vignette technique and its use in a study to examine the association of depressive symptoms …

The Experience Of Friendship Between Individuals With And Without An Intellectual Disability., Rebecca Clark

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Practitioners and researchers are concerned about the limited social inclusion and social networks of individuals with an Intellectual Disability (ID) (Amado, 2014; Bigby & Craig, 2017; Hall, 2010; Hardman & Clark, 2006; Knox & Hickson, 2001; McConkey & Collins, 2010; Tipton, 2011). Friendships between those with and without an ID are viewed as opportunities for greater inclusiveness with and connection to the mainstream society (Amado, 2014; Bigby & Craig, 2017; McConkey & Collins, 2010). However, little is known about the development of friendships between those with and without an ID. The purpose of this study was to fully explore the …

Malaria, Microbes, And Mice: The Role Of The Gut Microbiota On The Immune Response To Plasmodium Infection And The Treatment Potential Of Microbiota Modulation., Morgan L. Waide

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Plasmodium infection leads to over 200 million cases of malaria and 400,000 deaths worldwide each year. These deaths are largely in children under the age of five and pregnant women [1]. Caused by transmission of Plasmodium parasites by the female Anopheles mosquito, malaria poses a risk for over 40 percent of the world’s population [1]. Despite worldwide efforts to eradicate malaria leading to a decrease in malaria-associated mortalities in the early 2000s [2], growing resistance to the available antimalarials and the lack of an effective, long-lasting vaccine has caused this decrease to plateau in recent years [1, 3-6]. Furthermore, malaria …

International Tourism As A Threat To Public Health In Thailand, Liam G. Lane

Binghamton University Undergraduate Journal

From its unique history, Thailand has embraced its independence and benefited from its cultural and natural beauty. Transitioning from an agricultural to industrial economy due to the emergence of a strong tourism industry, Thailand has experienced a period of intensive urbanization that has re-shaped Thai lifestyle. Materializing as regional and social disparities, these consequences of industrialization have seemingly divided Thai society, separating those who benefit from the tourism sector while marginalizing those who do not. Additionally, this transition has threatened public health statuses within Thailand, and considering the current tourism trends seen over the past 20 years there is a …

Smart Solar Charge Controller, Aria Pegah, Miclaine Emtman

Electrical Engineering

The technology of photovoltaics has been quickly evolving as we move toward a future with more clean energy. Energy conversion efficiency is key to making these systems the viable option amongst other sources of power. This project proposes a way to increase the power yield from a solar system by implementing smarter algorithms in the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) component of the system. MPPT is critical because environmental conditions may vary significantly for any given system due to irradiance and shading. The proposed method for MPPT utilizes a controller that uses swarm intelligence to do the power tracking.. This …

Billion-Dollar Bride: Book 1—Godric's Academy For Young Ladies, Kaylin N. Stickley

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This thesis contains the first five chapters of a young adult romance novel featuring a young woman named Theadosia Lee. The plot is heavily influenced by Cinderella, and the biblical braiding technique is heavily influenced by that of Kiera Cass and C. S. Lewis. The piece was inspired by my desire to create more young adult romance novels that contain the biblical values that are sorely lacking in most modern young adult literature. I seek to write a love story that is based on mutual respect, a strong foundation of friendship, and an intentional decision to avoid sexual activities …

Relationship Between Course Evaluations And Course Grades In Six Allied Health Programs, Emily Weidman-Evans, Sandra Hayes, Teresa Bigler

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Most faculty members are evaluated by their administration, in part, based upon student evaluation results. This study sought to determine the relationship between course evaluation scores and course grades, in order to ensure academic rigor and optimize faculty evaluation practices. Methods: Overall course evaluation results were compared to average course grades for six allied health programs, over 3 years (n = 256 observations). Results: There was no overall relationship between evaluation scores and course grades; however, individual differences between programs were seen. Conclusion: Grades achieved in a course did not affect the overall course evaluations. However, since there was …

From Jerseys To Scrubs: Is Sport Background Associated With Medical Students’ Tolerance Of Ambiguity And Uncertainty?, Kalee Lodewyk, Delane Linkiewich, Ann Lee, Oksana Babenko

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Involvement in sport is common among prospective medical students and may serve as a foundation for the psychological wellbeing of future physicians. This study examined the relationship between medical students’ sport background and their tolerance of ambiguity and uncertainty, an established factor in physician wellbeing and a key component in quality patient care. Method: Sixty-one 3rd year medical students (50% females) at a large Canadian university responded to a web-based survey (62% response rate). The survey included the 29-item TAMSAD (Tolerance of Ambiguity in Medical Students and Doctors) scale and sport background measures (sport type and level of involvement). …

Mental Health Matters: Mental Health And Overall Well-Being Among First- And Second-Year Medical Students, Tobin Thuma, Marco Lawandy, Andrew Lotfalla, Mark Terrell, Christine Lomiguen

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Recent studies have indicated a dramatic increase of depression and burnout levels among medical students. This study aimed to answer the question: how does medical students’ mental health affect their stress, physical health, and academic success? Method: A survey was distributed to first- and second-year medical students to gather information on various self-perceived parameters of health, well-being, and academic success. Participants rated their mental health, physical health, and stress on a five-point Likert scale. Grade point averages (GPAs) were used as a measure of academic success. Students were separated into “low” (1–3 of 5) and “high” (4–5 of 5) …

Barriers To Continuing Professional Development (Cpd) In Radiography: A Review Of Literature From Africa, Osward Bwanga

Health Professions Education

Purpose: To review the barriers to continuours professional development (CPD) learning activities in radiography in Africa and propose strategies for supporting radiographers on the continent. Method: A literature search was conducted in four databases: ScienceDirect, PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Google Scholar with no time limit. This was supplemented with hand searching to avoid missing relevant literature. All research studies conducted in Africa on this subject were included in the review. Data were synthesised and analysed thematically. Results: Seven research studies were found to be relevant and included in this review. Three main themes on barriers to radiographers’ participation in CPD learning …

Overcoming The Myth Of The Contemporary “Starving Artist”: An Exploration Into The Fusion And Viability Of A 21st-Century Career In Art And Design, Miranda M. Myles Jackson

Masters Theses

This research explores the myth of the “starving artist” surrounding the pursuit of a career in the arts. Artists are often dubbed as starving due to the pre-conceived notion that careers in art do not provide longevity or financial stability. Due to this stigma, budding creatives are often dissuaded at home, school, or both from pursuing a career doing what they love. Arts programs are often cut and or remain underfunded, mainly due to this biased perception. Research indicates that careers in the arts have expanded exponentially due to its merge with various fields. According to both the STEM vs. …

Living My Best Life Gifting Program, Jessica Gilmore

Masters Theses

Living My Best Life (LMBL) is a qualitative research study that explores how creative products can help provide a positive impact on children. Research shows that various forms of art are utilized in therapy, classroom settings, outreach programs, and in homes to help children overcome complicated, disturbing, and disruptive behavior due to adverse circumstances they have experienced in their life. The research revealed how strategy that utilizes and implements creative products and activities can actually alter the perspective of children in a more productive and optimistic manner. The products serve as long and short-term interventions against negative thoughts and actions. …

Tracing Relations Between Attachment, Social Media Use, Self-Esteem, Loneliness, And Depression: A Mediation Model, Meagan Patricia Sabo

Masters Theses

An extensive amount of correlational research has well-established the link between insecure attachment style and subsequent adverse interpersonal and psychopathological outcomes. Moreover, the rise of social media has precipitated a shift in the methods by which individuals communicate; consequently, this has resulted in the shifting of preexisting dispositions toward dysfunctional behaviors to a more ubiquitous route of manifestation. Given that attachment literature has indicated notable differences in both underlying mechanisms and resulting outcomes of both avoidant and anxious attachment, examination of this alongside social media use provides valuable insight into potential relationships between the two. Further, research has examined the …

Disservice: Disabled Library Staff And Service Expectations, Kelsey George

Library Faculty Research

No abstract provided.

Designing A Collaborative Learning Experience Around The Framework, Samantha Godbey, Xan Y. Goodman

Library Faculty Research

In late 2015, we presented a three-hour workshop on the nascent ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education at the European Conference on Information Literacy (ECIL) in Tallinn, Estonia,1 after which we were approached about preparing a more in-depth learning experience on the Framework for a group of international librarians. These librarians were part of the AMICAL Consortium, a consortium of twenty-nine liberal arts institutions in Europe, Asia, and Africa. At this point, we had already led several active learning–filled workshops on the Framework, including the one at ECIL. We were also working on a coedited book on the …

Global Health At The Local Level: Innovative Approaches For Preventing Hiv/Aids Among Adolescent Girls In Botswana With Evidence From An Evaluation Study On Perceptions Of Cross Generational Sex And Edu-Tainment Strategies, Rebecca L. Upton

Sociology & Anthropology Faculty publications

In Botswana, cross-generational sex (CGS) accounts for a disparity in incidence and prevalence rates of HIV infection between young men and women in the country. Ministry of Health quantitative data and ethnographic research indicate that almost one third of college-aged girls in urban cities had high-risk sex with a partner over ten years older in the past year. Described as “Mma 14s” (in the past this was often translated as “mothers at age 14” or “women at 14”) these girls are caught between cultural imperatives that emphasize the “traditional” and global consumption and goals of being a “modern” person. Rates …

Time Over Matter: Measuring The Reasonableness Of Officer Conduct In § 1983 Claims, Evelyn Michalos

Fordham Law Review

In the United States, far more police encounters result in civilian and officer deaths than in other democratic countries. When a government actor uses excessive force against an individual during an arrest or investigatory stop in violation of the Fourth Amendment right against unreasonable seizure, 42 U.S.C. § 1983 provides a federal civil remedy for that individual. In Graham v. Connor and Tennessee v. Garner, the U.S. Supreme Court held that courts should assess the reasonableness of an officer’s use of force to seize an individual in light of the “totality of the circumstances,” which includes the severity of …

No Fare: Remedying The Member Business Loan Loophole, Leili A. Saber

Fordham Law Review

The member business loan exemption of the Federal Credit Union Act was the driving force behind the New York City taxi medallion loan crisis that led to over 950 bankrupt taxi drivers and eight suicides. This Note analyzes the exemption as the legislature’s balancing act to reconcile two competing policy aims: keeping lenders safe while encouraging them to lend to risky borrowers. Viewed through the lens of the taxi medallion crisis, this Note demonstrates the severe harm that this loophole creates. Exempting credit unions from regulatory limits has left vulnerable borrowers subject to the adverse designs of powerful actors. Ultimately, …

Healthcare Utilization Patterns Among Children With A History Of Child Protective Services Investigations, Jill Mcleigh, Christian Carr, Heidi Roman, Jessica Fults, Jennifer Reingle Gonzalez, Corron Sanders, Michiko Otsuki Clutter, Ray Tsai, Katelyn Jetelina

Health Status, Outcomes, and Literacy and Healthcare Utilization

Examine whether children with a prior child protective services (CPS) investigation had different healthcare utilization compared to children without a history of CPS investigations.

For questions about this study or others, please email [email protected]

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