Digital Commons Network^™

The Roads Less Traveled: A Metaresearch Analysis Of Local Histories In Racial Health Equity Research, Devin Trévion Brown

Public Health Theses

While it is important that racial health equity research receive growing attention in theUnited States, doing so must involve a thorough recognition and interrogation of the role that structural racism plays in creating different outcomes for Black communities. History aids in making clear the process through which race can become biology as structural racism is embodied by members of Black communities. Guided by Táíwò’s conceptualization of “resource distribution and accumulation” as well as Carter’s discussion of “racialized local biologies”, this cross-sectional meta-research analysis sought to investigate when and how racial health equity research after 2020 utilized local history to understand …

Biomarker Profiles And Treatment Patterns In Patients With Advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Real-World Database Analysis, Zijian Niu

Public Health Theses

Background: With the rapidly evolving treatment options for patients with advance-staged Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) offers systematic guidelines on treatment choices based on biomarker profiles and adjunctive information as the reference. This study aim to understand how patient’s biomarker profiles influence the receipt of Guideline-Concordant Treatments (GCTs) and exploring potential prognostic factors that exert such positive impacts on receiving these guideline-concordant therapies.Methods: This retrospective study focused on using the Flatiron Health NSCLC deidentified database, targeting at advanced NSCLC patients with 5 main confirmed actionable biomarker (ALK+, EGFR+, PD-L1 <1%, PD-L1 1%-49%, PD-L1 ≥50%). Patients with five main biomarkers were further described by whether they have undergone first lines of treatment (LOT) GCTs post-confirmation of biomarker status exclusively. Descriptive analysis was used to examine of the frequency distribution of GCTs across out cohort, while the multi-variate logistic regression model was used to identify potential prognostic factors influencing the receipt of NCCN GCTs. Results: 15,221 individuals were aligned with GCTs, underscoring a substantial compliance within the cohort with pre-treatment confirmed biomarker profiles. Descriptive analyses revealed a statistically significant correlation with receiving GCTs across gender, ECOG status, biomarker profiles, histology and smoking history. Strikingly, patients with PD-L1 expression and ECOG status of 2-4 had the highest rates of GCTs than other ECOG subgroups. By adjusting ORs, Asian and patients with PD-L1 expression were more predisposed to receive GCTs. Conclusion: By confirming the importance of biomarker profiles and ECOG status in the receipt of GCTs, results highlighted the necessity of addressing disparities in healthcare accessibility and treatment equity for patients from varied biological and social backgrounds, ensuring that advancements in precision medicine benefit all individuals equally.

Greening And Mental Distress: Effect Modification By Housing Tenure, Saira Prasanth

Public Health Theses

Access to high-quality residential greenspace is associated with improved long-term health, particularly mental health. However, many interventions to promote “greening” or increased greenspace in urban areas have been shown through numerous qualitative studies to exacerbate environmental and health inequities, primarily through green gentrification. Our objective was to quantify the association between greenspace and mental distress in the U.S. as well as evaluate whether the association between greenspace and mental distress is modified by housing tenure. We hypothesized that increased greenspace was associated with reduced mental distress, and that this effect was more protective among homeowners than non-homeowners. Mental distress and …

Community-Centric Approaches To Coastal Hazard Assessment And Management In Southside Norfolk, Virginia, Usa, Dalya Ismael, Nicole Hutton, Mujde Erten-Unal, Carol Considine, Tancy Vandecar-Burdin, Christopher Davis, Yin-Hsuen Chen

Engineering Technology Faculty Publications

Urban communities in environmentally sensitive areas face escalating challenges due to climate change and inadequate infrastructural support, particularly in underserved regions like southside Norfolk, Virginia. This area, characterized by its vulnerability to flooding and a predominantly low-income population, lacks equitable inclusion in broader urban flood protection plans. This research focuses on the development of community-centered resilience strategies through active engagement and collaboration with local residents. The methodology centered around building trust and understanding within the community through a series of interactions and events. This approach facilitated a two-way exchange of information, enabling the research team to gather crucial insights on …

Rap On Trial: A Brief History, Jack Lerner

Chapman Law Review

In recent years, the prosecutorial tactic, often called “Rap on Trial”—in which rap lyrics and videos associated with a defendant are used as evidence of criminal activity—has exploded into national prominence. The widely-followed prosecution of Young Thug and his labelmates, along with other high-profile rappers, has generated intense interest in the issue, but even before the Young Thug indictment, legislators in California, Washington D.C., and other states had introduced legislation to curb the practice. The Rap on Trial tactic has been around since at least 1991; hundreds of courts have issued judicial opinions permitting the use of rap evidence, despite …

Travel Literature. Mircea Eliade’S Occidental View In The Himalayan Journal And The Portugal Journal, Irina Armianu

Literatures and Cultural Studies Faculty Publications

This article retraces Mircea Eliade’s mystical travel through the Himalayas as shown in his Himalayan Journal and his struggle to survive as a writer under the weight of brutal historical events in his Portugal Journal. The two travel journals reveal the influence of geographical and historical elements on Eliade's mystical writing. A deeper analysis of these journals is necessary to link travel genre to mystical thought. The next pages will show (1) how these journals fit into the category of existential travel, as theorized by Erik Cohen in "The Phenomenology of Tourist Experiences" (179-201), (2) Eliade’s own transcendence of his …

Reporting On Un Security Council: Decoding Media Bias, Alessandra Loiero

Dissertations and Theses

This thesis explores Western media's representation of the United Nations (UN), focusing on the Security Council's role in global conflict resolution. It examines how UN-accredited correspondents perceive the effectiveness of the Security Council, particularly when the body faces deadlock. The study employs text analysis techniques to identify biases and perceptions in media coverage, using The New York Times' reporting on the Ukraine conflict as a case study. It illuminates framing effects in journalistic narratives, revealing how journalists subtly interject their views when reporting, often revealing unrealistic expectations and shedding light on the limitations of the UN's mandate or its inability …

The Menstrual Cycle In Psychotherapy: Interventions, Therapist Engagement, And Blind Spots, Rozita Alaluf

Dissertations and Theses

There is a dearth of literature on psychotherapy and menstruation, except for the treatment and diagnosis of issues associated with premenstrual distress. This study aimed to bridge this gap by investigating the frequency and context of discussions about the menstrual cycle, the factors influencing therapists’ engagement with this topic, and the therapeutic approaches utilized to address the menstrual cycle within psychotherapy.

In phase 1, 118 psychotherapists from various theoretical backgrounds completed a survey on menstruation in clinical practice. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. In phase 2, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 7 psychotherapists, primarily identifying their theoretical orientation …

Identity-Focused Therapist Self-Disclosure In Matched Sexual/Gender Minority Dyads: A Longitudinal Therapy Process-Outcome Study, Brian Thomas Neff

Dissertations and Theses

Therapist self-disclosure (TSD) is a controversial clinical intervention whose benefits and drawbacks remain contested. Notably, no prior research has differentiated explicitly between self-disclosures related to the therapist’s core identities and those peripheral to identity, and qualitative studies suggest that identity-focused therapist self-disclosure (TSD-I) may be beneficial when therapist and patient share at least one marginalized identity. LGBTQ+ people, who experience significant health disparities and utilize psychotherapy more than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts, could benefit particularly from TSD-I. The mental and physical health challenges facing LGBTQ+ individuals are predominantly explained through minority stress theory, which suggests that societal prejudice and …

Increasing Commuter Students’ Sense Of Belonging With Situated Learning In A First-Year Computer Programming Course, Lily R. Liang, Rui Kang

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

This study examines the impact of a situated learning class framework on student learning and sense of belonging in a first-year introductory computer programming course offered at an urban commuter campus. The framework provided students opportunities to engage in hands-on activities embedded in authentic contexts facilitated or led by students from computer science clubs and a service-learning program. Our results suggest that 1) participation in peer interactions within the classroom helped students build learning communities and networks beyond the classroom and strengthened their development of a professional identity; 2) through redesigning curriculum and pedagogy to accommodate students’ needs and learning …

Nurturing Teamwork, Intercultural Competence, And Belonging In First-Year Stem Students, Aparajita Jaiswal, Muna Sapkota, Myanna Marie Ramos, Laura Starr, Aletha Stahl

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Developing a professional STEM workforce with a high degree of intercultural competence is essential in today’s globalized world. To this end, Higher Education Institutions incorporate reflection to help students make meaning of their learning experiences. In this study, we investigated the development of intercultural and teamwork skills among undergraduate first-year STEM students enrolled in a global living- learning community. The goal of the community was to help students develop intercultural competence and teamwork skills by engaging them in active learning environments and reflection. The study used an inductive thematic approach to characterize the impact of the learning community on intercultural …

Signature Moves? An Environmental Scan Of The Intersection Between Educational Development And Sotl, Laura Cruz, Hillary H. Steiner, Clare Cruz

International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning

Although the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) has been described as the signature pedagogy of educational development (a professional field focused on support for teaching and learning in higher education), there is little systematic evidence of the scale and scope of the SoTL support practices that centers for teaching and learning (CTLs) are currently using, how they are using them, and how these practices connect across the ecosystem of higher education. To understand the evolving intersection between educational development and SoTL, we used web scraping/content analysis to explore the current state of SoTL support at U.S.-based CTLs (as reflected …

Serving With Pride: Analyzing Lgbtq+ Personnel Policy In The U.S. Military, Sonja Woolley

CMC Senior Theses

This thesis examines the evolution of LGBTQ+ personnel policies in the U.S. military, analyzing how these changes reflect broader social transformations and the military’s role as both a mirror and catalyst in societal shifts. It traces the historical roots of discriminatory practices against queer and transgender servicemembers, identifying key periods of reform and resistance. Using institutional theory to dissect the mechanisms of policy adaptation, this paper focuses on coercive, mimetic, and normative isomorphism, which illustrate the complex interplay between external societal pressures, internal demands for legitimacy, and the professionalization of the military. Through detailed case studies, the thesis highlights how …

Catalyzing Communities Of Research Rigour Champions, Audrey C Brumback, William X Q Ngiam, Dana M Lapato, David B Allison, Christin L Daniels, Michael Dougherty, Haley F Hazlett, Kara L Kerr, Susan Pusek, Naomi Schrag

Children’s Nutrition Research Center Staff Publications

The biomedical sciences must maintain and enhance a research culture that prioritizes rigour and transparency. The US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke convened a workshop entitled 'Catalyzing Communities of Research Rigor Champions' that brought together a diverse group of leaders in promoting research rigour and transparency (identified as 'rigour champions') to discuss strategies, barriers and resources for catalyzing technical, cultural and educational changes in the biomedical sciences. This article summarizes 2 days of panels and discussions and provides an overview of critical barriers to research rigour, perspectives behind reform initiatives and considerations for stakeholders across science. Additionally, we …

The Left And The 2024 U.S. Presidential Election, Ronald W. Cox, Bryant W. Sculos, Daniel Skidmore-Hess

Political Science Faculty Publications

This is a conversation among Ronald W. Cox, Bryant Sculos and Daniel Skidmore-Hess about how the left in the U.S. should analyze the broader societal and political ramifications of the 2024 presidential election. Each of the authors contributes separate essays that reflects both complementary and differing views regarding how those on the left should vote in this election and why.

Roadmaps To Post-Communist Neoliberalism: The Case Of The Baltic States, Jokubas Salyga

Political Science Faculty Publications

This article uncovers the pre-1991 origins of Baltic neoliberal regimes. It highlights the role of the communication networks between reformist economists in the Baltic National Fronts and social forces advocating neoliberalism in Scandinavia and the United States. We assert that those networks functioned as the early carriers of ideational and policy change, even if reform contents were authored by domestic rather than transnational agencies. Firstly, the article previews the structural factors conducive to network formation. Secondly, it examines the networks by highlighting cross-national differences. Finally, it chronicles the idiosyncratic paths of neoliberal reformers’ ascendance to the positions of influence.

Colorful Lizards And The Conflict Of Collection, Colin M. Goodman, Natalie M. Claunch, Zachary T. Steele, Diane J. E. Sturgeon, Christina M. Romagosa

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Invasive species threaten biodiversity, and their management is economically burdensome. Research on the indirect effects of introduced species are often focused on indirect ecological effects, with little focus on the more difficult to capture but critically important societal impacts. Often understated are the social costs of invasive species such as conflicts between invasive species managers and public stakeholders. Chameleons (Chamaeleonidae) are popular in the pet trade and have been introduced throughout Florida, USA, and their presence often attracts private collectors. After locating a population of panther chameleons (Furcifer pardalis) within a suburban neighborhood in central Florida, we administered …

Modern Disaster Fragmentation, Abigail E. André

Fordham Law Review

Natural disasters test us. They exist at the intersection of nature, law, and society to show us where our systems are failing. Beyond physical damage, they magnify weaknesses in our socioeconomic and legal systems. In an attempt to leverage the lessons disasters bring, this Article analyzes the administrative institutions that govern disaster relief from the perspective of law, history, equity, and institutional design. This intersectional analysis uncovers a system fragmented by centuries of disorganization and infused with socioeconomic discrimination. Minor revisions cannot fix our federal approach to disaster relief: an institutional overhaul is required to achieve good governance.

Front-Line Management In The Irish Public Service: Realities, Challenges, And The Role Of Social Capital, Arpita Pal

Doctoral

This study investigates the evolving role of Front-Line Managers (FLMs) within the Irish public sector as they adapt to devolved Human Resources Management (HRM) responsibilities amidst a backdrop of fiscal austerity, staff reductions, and organisational restructuring. Policy initiatives such as the One Civil Service Approach and the Civil Service Renewal Plan have shifted HRM responsibilities to FLMs without adequate formal training or resources, compelling them to rely heavily on social capital—networks of relationships and informal interactions—to bridge knowledge gaps and manage operational demands.

Trying To Be Funny: A Conversation Analysis Of Humor In Efl University Students’ Role-Plays, Siriprapa Srithep, Patharaorn Patharakorn

PASAA

Through the lens of conversational analysis (CA), humor or funniness is not an inherent property of a message, nor an internal state of any social action, but as something interactionally achieved (Glenn, 2003). Teachers are often encouraged to utilize humor to reduce anxiety, lower affective filters, and make language more “memorable” (Bell, 2005; Tarone, 2000; Ziyaeemehr et al., 2011). In the current research endeavor, we focused on an activity called “Drama and Creativity,” an extracurricular activity which is offered to firstyear undergraduate students at a public university in Thailand. During the activity, students worked in groups of three to four …

Analyzing Self-Praise Strategies In Political Resignation Speeches Of Female Heads Of The Government From Australia, England, New Zealand, And Scotland: A Multimodal Discourse Analysis, Umparin Boonsinsuk, Pattrawut Charoenroop

PASAA

While males have predominantly held leadership positions in national-level parliaments, the rising visibility of females as heads of government, despite their underrepresentation, is a significant trend. This study investigated the political resignation speeches of four female leaders in national parliaments: Australia, England, New Zealand, and Scotland. Examining their speeches revealed a strategic utilization of self-praise to construct their identity as effective leaders. A comparative analysis of these speeches highlighted distinct self-praise strategies employed. These speakers interacted with varied levels of familiarity with their audience influencing their self-praise strategies. Addressing familiar individuals prompted the use of diverse strategies, notably emphasizing direct …

Multifunctional Disclaimers In Thai Communication : Perceptions And Factors Influencing Interpretation Through A Mixed-Methods Approach, Anuchit Toomaneejinda, Amnat Paksasuk

PASAA

No abstract provided.

Celebrities In Palestinian Efl Textbooks : A Gender And Nationality Perspective, Jehad Faraj, Anca Daniela Frumuselu, Andrea Roxana Bellot

PASAA

No abstract provided.

That’S Not In My Position Description: A Discourse Analysis Of Sbae Migratory Context, Becky Haddad, Jonathan Velez, Josh Stewart, Haden Botkin

Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communication: Faculty Publications

While the choice to move to a new school is personal, many play a role in justifying that choice for the mobile teacher. These justifiers—or influencers—make up the socializing network for teachers (in this case, SBAE teachers) in new settings. Our study outlined how mobile SBAE teachers rationalize the choice to change schools and validate career moves. We used a positioning theory approach to discourse to give migrators (teachers who change schools) and influencers a voice. Positioning theory allowed us to situate migrators as they reflected on their choice to change school districts, and influencers as they recounted their …

Navigating Unknown Complexities: School Superintendent Perspectives Of Leading During Covid, Jamie Mikelle Pearson Iannone

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for educational leaders, particularly superintendents, who have been tasked with navigating the complexities of leading during a global crisis. In this study I explored the perspectives of superintendents on leading during COVID-19 and examined the application of Complexity Leadership Theory in educational settings. Through semi-structured interviews with superintendents from diverse districts, I investigated the strategies and approaches employed by educational leaders to address the multifaceted challenges posed by the pandemic. I also examined the impact of Complexity Leadership Theory on educational practices and outcomes during the pandemic. The findings suggest that superintendents have …

Large Language Models For Multimodal User Interaction In A Virtual Environment, Ahmed A. Sayed

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Virtual Reality (VR) is increasingly popular, but many barriers exist for individuals with little experience in coding, 3D modeling, or creating their own virtual experiences. The current tools used for content creation are often viewed as complex or frustrating, and they exhibit a steep learning curve. This problem presents an opportunity to develop tools incorporating Natural User Interfaces that better support end users. One such possible tool to assist users is Large Language Models (LLM), which can, extract a user's intention through speech or text. We posit how using LLMs can better support novice and expert developers alike, and using …

Teaching “Mistrust”, Sarah J. Schendel, Sam E. Bourgeois

Minnesota Journal of Law & Inequality

No abstract provided.

Maintenance As A Core Value Recommendations For Increasing Gender Equity On Digital Scholarship Teams, Amanda Koziura, Stephanie Becker

Library Faculty Research

As two female librarians who have worked in digital scholarship at research institutions, we have observed how patriarchal gender norms can influence the way teams operate and the toxic impact they have on librarians. In this chapter, we will identify points of impact and suggest a feminist approach, which relies on maintenance and care, to further equity in the subfield of digital scholarship within academic libraries.

Variation In Las Vegas Tree Diversity Based On Socioeconomic Status, Fabrizio Ciccone

Calvert Undergraduate Research Awards

An increased level of plant biodiversity has been observed in urban communities of above average socioeconomic status. This phenomenon was previously termed the luxury effect. This study aimed to identify potential disparities in tree diversity of different communities across Las Vegas and Henderson. Communities were selected based on the zip code’s median income for 2023; this information was gathered from the Healthy Southern Nevada database. Public parks were chosen from a range of zip codes, with trees initially being identified with PictureThis, then cross-referenced with Southern Nevada Water Authority’s regional plant list for validity. Trees were counted, identified, and …

A Phenomenological Exploration Of Intracommunity Attitudinal And Experiential Barriers To The Utilization Of Psychotherapeutic Services In Bipoc Populations, Jade Turner

Calvert Undergraduate Research Awards

This study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to explore the role that intracommunity attitudes and beliefs and negative mental healthcare experiences play in determining treatment-seeking behavior in BIPOC communities. Through in-depth semistructured interviews, five participants shared their perspectives and experiences, providing rich and nuanced insight into the subjective landscape of mental healthcare avoidance among racial and ethnic minority populations. The analysis revealed five overarching themes (pray it away, isolated and invisible, fear, perceived importance of racial matching, and therapeutic experiences profoundly impact treatment-seeking) shedding light on the nuanced ways in which BIPOC individuals make sense of and navigate mental health within …