Digital Commons Network^™

Rootzone Soil Moisture Dynamics Using Terrestrial Water-Energy Coupling, Vinit Sehgal, Binayak P. Mohanty, Rolf H. Reichle

Faculty Publications

A lack of high-density rootzone soil moisture (θRZ) observations limits the estimation of continental-scale, space-time contiguous θRZ dynamics. We derive a proxy of daily θRZ dynamics — active rootzone degree of saturation (SRZ) — by recursive low-pass (LP) filtering of surface soil moisture (θS) within a terrestrial water-energy coupling (WEC) framework. We estimate the LP filter parameters and WEC thresholds for the piecewise-linear coupling between SRZ and evaporative fraction (EF) at remote sensing and field scale over the Contiguous U.S. We use θS from the Soil Moisture Active-Passive (SMAP) satellite and 218 in-situ stations, with EF from the Moderate Resolution …

Rheumatoid Arthritis Increases Health Care Costs, Harms Mental Health, Clara Turnage

University of Mississippi News

OXFORD, Miss. – A University of Mississippi-led comprehensive study of a disorder that affects 4.27 million Americans nationwide is revealing just how significant its burdens are on patients' financial well-being and quality of life.

Bridging Big Data In The Enigma Consortium To Combine Non-Equivalent Cognitive Measures, Eamonn Kennedy, Shashank Vadlamani, Hannah M Lindsey, Pui-Wa Lei, Mary Jo-Pugh, Paul M Thompson, David F Tate, Frank G Hillary, Emily L Dennis, Elisabeth A Wilde, Enigma Clinical Endpoints Working Group Collaborators

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Investigators in neuroscience have turned to Big Data to address replication and reliability issues by increasing sample size. These efforts unveil new questions about how to integrate data across distinct sources and instruments. The goal of this study was to link scores across common auditory verbal learning tasks (AVLTs). This international secondary analysis aggregated multisite raw data for AVLTs across 53 studies totaling 10,505 individuals. Using the ComBat-GAM algorithm, we isolated and removed the component of memory scores associated with site effects while preserving instrumental effects. After adjustment, a continuous item response theory model used multiple memory items of varying …

The Pivotal Role Of Evaporation In Lake Water Isotopic Variability Across Space And Time In A High Arctic Periglacial Landscape, Pete D. Akers, Ben Kopec, Eric S. Klein, Hannah Bailey, Jeffrey M. Welker

Michigan Tech Publications

Rapidly changing climate is disrupting the High Arctic's water systems. As tracers of hydrological processes, stable water isotopes can be used for high quality monitoring of Arctic waters to better reconstruct past changes and assess future environmental threats. However, logistical challenges typically limit the length and scope of isotopic monitoring in High Arctic landscapes. Here, we present a comprehensive isotopic survey of 535 water samples taken in 2018 and 2019 of the lakes and other surface waters of the periglacial Pituffik Peninsula in far northwest Greenland. The δ18O, δ2H, and deuterium-excess values of these samples, representing 196 unique sites, grant …

Immuneapp For Hla-I Epitope Prediction And Immunopeptidome Analysis, Haodong Xu, Ruifeng Hu, Xianjun Dong, Lan Kuang, Wenchao Zhang, Chao Tu, Zhihong Li, Zhongming Zhao

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Advances in mass spectrometry accelerates the characterization of HLA ligandome, necessitating the development of efficient methods for immunopeptidomics analysis and (neo)antigen prediction. We develop ImmuneApp, an interpretable deep learning framework trained on extensive HLA ligand datasets, which improves the prediction of HLA-I epitopes, prioritizes neoepitopes, and enhances immunopeptidomics deconvolution. ImmuneApp extracts informative embeddings and identifies key residues for pHLA binding. We also present a more accurate model-based deconvolution approach and systematically analyzed 216 multi-allelic immunopeptidomics samples, identifying 835,551 ligands restricted to over 100 HLA-I alleles. Our investigation reveals the effectiveness of the composite model, denoted as ImmuneApp-MA, which integrates mono- …

Evaluating The Difference Between Anxiety And Depression For Adults In The United States Who Were Adopted Internationally Versus Domestically, And Seeking To Determine If Age At Adoption Is A Predictor Of Depression And Anxiety For The Internationally Adopted, Kaitlyn Nicole Whiteside Engle

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a gap in research on if there is a difference in mental health in those internationally and domestically adopted into the United States. The purpose of this quantitative study is to evaluate if there is a difference in depression and anxiety levels in those adopted domestically versus those adopted internationally and to determine if age at adoption for those internationally adopted is associated with levels of anxiety and depression. The three research questions are is there a difference in anxiety and depression levels in those internationally versus domestically adopted, is there a difference in age at adoption between …

Because He Lives: Exploring The Resurrection Of Jesus As The Root Belief In Theologically Conservative Christians' Resistance To Climate Policy, Roger E. Prather

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this dissertation is to contribute to the ongoing and constantly evolving investigation into Christian attitudes about environmental issues generally and skepticism about climate change and climate policy specifically. This purpose is achieved primarily in two ways. First, it seeks to distinguish and disambiguate between skepticism about climate change among theologically conservative American Christians and skepticism about climate change policy. The study contributes to the academic literature by synthesizing two bodies of literature: that dealing with American Christians’ beliefs and climate change and that dealing with the nature of climate skepticism. Using the insights of Niklas Luhmann’s Social …

The Qualitative Study Of The African American Pastors' Perceptions Of Marriage And Family Therapists, De Angela Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study investigates African American pastors' perceptions regarding mental health practitioners' roles. The research aims to comprehend the perspectives and experiences of ten participants, allowing them to select the location for data collection. This study investigates the relationship between interpretive phenomenon analysis and the perceptions of African American pastors using the hermeneutic phenomenology framework established by influential thinkers such as Husserl, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, and Sartre (Smith et al., 2022). As a philosophical discipline, phenomenology emphasizes the importance of an individual's lived experiences and worldview. Husserl, Heidegger, Merleau-Ponty, and Sartre have contributed to this discipline by emphasizing the inseparable relationship …

From Perspective To Practice: Investigating Elementary Educators' Insights Into Secondary Traumatic Stress In The Classroom, Cassie Bailey Phillips

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the central phenomenon of elementary educators recognizing their lived experiences of secondary traumatic stress and investigate their self-care techniques. The theories guiding this study were secondary traumatic stress theory and the constructivist self-development theory. Research questions investigated in this study included how elementary educators make meaning of secondary traumatic stress (STS) caused by interactions involving students with traumatic lived experiences. How do educators experiencing secondary traumatic stress perceive the training available to them to mitigate the effects of STS? How do educators experience and interpret their use of self-care in managing …

An Ethnically Balanced Male Perspective Towards Police Officers Seeking Mental Health Counseling: A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Study, Arturo Parra

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study will aim to understand an ethnically balanced male perspective toward police officers seeking mental health counseling. Police Officers are routinely exposed to stressful and traumatic events, leading to acute and chronic disorders, mental illnesses, suicide ideation, and suicide, as research has indicated. Mental health counseling can play an essential role in intervention into mental health illness, providing critical tools to police officers to handle stress and potential mental illness. However, reluctance among the police community to seek mental health counseling continues to be prevalent. Possible cause for this reluctance are suggested through research as a direct result …

Educators' Perceptions For Low Performance On Mathematics State Assessment Among High School Algebra Students With Learning Disabilities In An Alternative Education Program In California: An Explanatory Case Study, D. Sung Choe

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This case study addressed educators' perceptions regarding the low performance on state mathematics assessments among high school algebra students with learning disabilities in an alternative education program in a California school district. Vygotsky's theory on the zone of proximal development served as the overarching framework for mathematics content that students with learning disabilities in the alternative education environment should learn at various stages of chronological age. The central research question was: What are educators' perceptions of low performance on mathematics state assessments among high school algebra students with learning disabilities in an alternative education program in California? The methodology used …

Identifying The Benefits Of Black Owned Barbershops In The African American Community, Tanya Elizabeth Greene

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate why African American men are less likely to seek mental health support in conventional settings. Black-owned barbershops are a substantial presence in the Black community as they offer a dual purpose. Barbershops not only create a sense of male confidence internally and externally but offer an unorthodox way of healing. Insight into the perceptions, attitudes, and insights were gathered to acquire helpful information to contribute to more positive outcomes for African American men in mental health. Semi-structured interviews provided data to find common themes among 10 African American male participants to …

Association Between Access To Healthcare Providers, Health Insurance, Income, Employment Status, And Aca Provision Based On Black Non-Hispanic And White Non- Hispanic, Motunrayo Arike Animashaun

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Despite significant advancements in healthcare delivery and policy reforms, disparities in access to healthcare services persist among different racial and ethnic groups in the United States. The impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on these disparities remains debated. The purpose of this quantitative study was to utilize a secondary dataset from the Health and Medical Care Archive (HMCA) to examine the association between access to healthcare providers (dependent variable) and health insurance, income, employment status, and ACA provision (independent variables), based on Black non-Hispanic and White non-Hispanic between 2017 and 2020. The research questions investigated whether the ACA affected …

Absent Fathers And The Propensity Of Criminal Behaviors Among Children Later In Life, India Kewanna Holmes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of the qualitative phenomenological research was to investigate the experiences of young adults raised by one caregiver and how the lack of fathers in the household impacted their decision-making processes concerning engaging in criminal behaviors. The following inquiry guided the research: What are the effects of fatherlessness on decision-making in young adults, and how is it related to criminal behavior? Semi-structured interviews of 15 participants, aged 18 to 26, were used as the primary data collection method. The interview instrument consisted of ten items, and responses were analyzed using coding and thematic analysis. The study's findings revealed several …

A New Ecosystem Model For Arctic Phytoplankton Phenology From Ice-Covered To Open-Water Periods: Implications For Future Sea Ice Retreat Scenarios, Jang Geun Choi, Atsushi Matsuoka, Manfredi Manizza, Dustin Carroll, Stephanie Dutkiewicz, Thomas Lippmann

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

To predict ecosystem change in the Arctic Ocean, understanding Arctic phytoplankton phenology is essential. We develop a marine ecosystem model focusing on phytoplankton dynamics and the competition for multiple resources based on knowledge from in situ data obtained in the Chukchi Sea. The model is designed to include the unique ecological characteristics of the Arctic Ocean. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first model successfully simulating the current paradigm for Arctic phytoplankton phenology, including both under-ice blooms and succession of phytoplankton groups. Sensitivity experiments show that the dominance of diatoms can be sustained by lateral transport of …

The Moderating Effect Of Teacher Experience On Secondary Traumatic Stress And Teacher Self-Efficacy Among Rural Public School Teachers, Donna Short

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Millions of teachers have exited the teaching profession as of 2020 and over 50% are likely to leave the profession during the next five years. High emotional stress is most often cited as the primary reason for the loss of teachers. There is also an increasing number of students entering school who having experienced various forms of trauma, such as abuse, death, violence, and neglect. In rural areas, poverty is a concern. These students often display trauma behaviors because of limited mental health resources. As rural public school teachers learn about student trauma, these teachers are at risk of secondary …

Exploring The Perceived Effects Of Integrating Unloader Braces And Exercise Therapy Interventions In Orthopedics And Sports Medicine: An Investigation Among Athletes With Knee Osteoarthritis, Lerome D. Pratt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this doctoral applied research project was to examine the perceived effects of integrating unloader braces and exercise therapy interventions within orthopedics and sports medicine, specifically focusing on athletes diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The problem addressed by this study is the limited understanding of how combined treatment modalities can enhance functional abilities, alleviate pain, and improve overall well-being in this population. This research was driven by the rationale that existing conventional treatments often provide limited efficacy, necessitating a more comprehensive and personalized approach. The central research question explored how athletes with knee OA perceive the impact of …

Developing Resiliency Body Armor Through Psychological And Spiritual Means: How U.S. States' Icac Personnel Cope With Secondary Traumatic Stress, Jameson Lee Denagel

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Global online child sex abuse and exploitation is rising due to the immense accessibility of the internet, and it takes specially trained and devoted investigators to combat the problem. However, combating these heinous crimes can create traumatic events for investigators, resulting in secondary traumatic stress. This quantitative correlative study examined the psychological and spiritual coping strategies to develop a resiliency body armor concerning Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force personnel (ICAC-TF) working on child sexual exploitation investigations. The theoretical framework combined the concepts of Resiliency Theory, psychology body armor, and spiritual body armor to create resiliency body armor. The study …

The Relationship Between Meaning, Basic Psychological Needs, And Motivation At Work: A Self-Determination Perspective, Cory Anne Trevena

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

In the following dissertation, I explored the predictive influence of meaning in life on autonomous motivation at work and psychological well-being in the presence of the three basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness identified by self-determination theory. The first hypothesis for this correlational study was that meaning in life would distinctly predict autonomous motivation at work beyond autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The second hypothesis for this study was that meaning in life would distinctly predict psychological well-being beyond autonomy, competence, and relatedness. I conducted a multiple regression analysis on the data collected from 94 working adults recruited using …

Exploring The Barriers Colleges Face Implementing Positive Psychology Interventions To Reduce Depression, Anxiety, Or Stress In College Students, Margaret U. Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative collective case study was to understand the barriers that colleges face implementing positive psychology interventions (PPIs) to reduce depression, anxiety, or stress (DAS) in college students. The problem was the lack of utilizing PPIs to reduce DAS in college students, despite increased reports of symptoms among this population. Several research studies have supported the use of PPIs to reduce. DAS in college students. However, no prior research was identified regarding barriers to initiating these interventions. The three research questions that guided this study were fueled by previous empirical studies that revealed three barriers to implementing …

Building Hope In Outreach Ministry, Preston W. Boerner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Churches and faith-based organizations may discover their role in fulfilling the Great Commission seems to be overshadowed by their efforts to provide other forms of relief and support. Central Florida, like many different regions in the United States, is facing an epidemic of homelessness and addiction. Natural and manmade disasters also present urgent and existential threats. The researcher believes that building true and lasting hope in Jesus is key to facing these challenges in the long term. He hypothesized that intractable barriers may create hopelessness and shift the focus of ministry away from inspiring hope. He conducted purposive interviews and …

Exploring The Mediating Effects Of Beliefs Toward Mental Illness On The Relationship Between Religiosity And Self-Stigma Of Seeking Help, Grace-Ann Gibby

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It is well-known that mental health concerns are common worldwide. Despite the increased research and strategic programs designed to improve mental healthcare systems, there are still persistent gaps in the accessibility and utilization of these services globally. The struggle to improve mental healthcare is even more difficult in developing countries. As a developing country, Bahamian society has insufficiently addressed mental healthcare. Mental health concerns have been categorized as a number one priority for The Bahamas, and a strong effort for the detection, prevention, and treatment of mental health is highly recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2017). Statistics show …

Relationship Between Use Of Online Dating Apps And Mental Well-Being In Young Adults, Kyndal A. Burdin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Technology and social media use are steadily becoming the preferred way to form and maintain relationships. A large majority of young adult populations investing time and energy into dating applications to meet romantic partners. Research has identified that there are many benefits, but also many risks, to using technology. It is important to identify the potential negative outcomes that dating app users may face and inform mental health professionals who can create proper preventive measures and treatment plans when working with clients. This study addresses the gap in the literature about some of the potential relationships between negative mental health …

The Relationship Between Parental Regard And Youth Athlete Performance And Contingency Of Self-Worth, Alysia M.K. Smith

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Youth athletic participation is important for the socioemotional development of children, such as lowering the risk of antisocial behaviors, increasing prosocial behaviors, improving physical and mental health, and lowering the risk of obesity. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to explore the relationship between the youth athletes’ perception of how their parents regarded them and their self-worth and perception of their athletic performance, which was explored from the perception of the former youth athlete. The variables were operationalized by utilizing the following instruments: the Parental Conditional Positive Regard Scale (PCPRS), the satisfaction of sporting experience using Turman’s (2006) …

The Shared Experiences Of The Effectiveness Of Christian Mindfulness Meditation For Adult Evangelical Christians In Florida Experiencing Ptsd Symptomatology, Loraine Yvonne Pennant

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mindfulness meditation, though secular in origin, is a distinct Christian principle found in the Bible and are practices that Christians in general subconsciously subscribe to especially in times of traumatic stress. When adapted to reflect Christian principles, this practice should retain the basic concepts of mindfulness meditation while safeguarding the integrity of the biblical tenet. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand and describe the shared experiences of the effectiveness of Christian mindfulness meditation of adult evangelical Christians in Florida suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder symptomology. A gap in literature exploring the topics of Christian rumination (meditation) and …

Relationship Between Attachment, Spirituality, And Moral Injury Among Military Veterans, Amy C. Minor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Extensive research indicates a convergence of emotional and neurobiological symptomatology between insecure attachment and moral injury among military veterans indicating a relationship may exist between attachment and moral injury. This quantitative correlational study aimed to investigate the relationship between attachment, moral injury, and intrinsic religiosity, addressing a gap in the research. This study included 42 United States residing participants all confirmed prior active military deployment to a war zone. Data was collected utilizing a single online survey to assess adult attachment, intrinsic religiosity, moral injury, and a demographic questionnaire. Bivariate correlations revealed that insecure anxious attachments positively correlated with intrinsic …

2024-10-16 Seattle Reign Eliminated From Playoff Contention With Loss To Utah, Keagen Brooks-Torres

The Spectator Online

No abstract provided.

Molecular Mechanisms Of Biofilm Formation In Helicobacter Pylori, Kartika Afrida Fauzia, Wiwin Is Effendi, Ricky Indra Alfaray, Hoda M Malaty, Yoshio Yamaoka, Muhammad Mifthussurur

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Biofilm formation in

METHODS: We conducted a literature review analysis of the published articles on the

RESULTS: The results showed that biofilm formation starts as adhesion and progresses through micro-colonies, maturation, and dispersion in a planktonic form. Moreover, specific genes modulate each phase of biofilm formation. Few studies have shown that mechanisms, such as quorum sensing and diffusible signal factors, enhance coordination among bacteria when switching from biofilm to planktonic states. Different protein expressions were also observed between planktonic and biofilm strains, and the biofilm architecture was supported by exopolysaccharides, extracellular DNA, and outer membrane vesicles.

CONCLUSIONS: This infrastructure …

Do Linear Clearings In Boreal Peatlands Recover? Comparing Taxonomic, Phylogenetic, And Functional Plant Diversity, Ellie M. Goud, Scott J. Davidson, Anna Dabros, Kimberly Kleinke, Megan A. Schmidt, Maria Strack

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Land-use changes and anthropogenic disturbances are major threats to biodiversity, affecting ecosystem function and recovery. In boreal Alberta, Canada, petroleum development has led to extensive landscape fragmentation, notably through linear clearings created for seismic exploration that remove surface vegetation and microtopography. Despite partial recovery on forested seismic lines, peatland recovery is often arrested, impacting wildlife and carbon dynamics. Restoration efforts employ silviculture techniques to create microtopography and foster tree growth, but the efficacy of restoration treatments in restoring peatland plant diversity remains uncertain. We compared taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity of understory plant communities across treated and untreated seismic lines, …

Critical Reflections On Salamander. A Response To “Land Education And Young People Working Toward Salamander”, Jay Odenbaugh, Stacy Meyer

Democracy & Education

In this response, we examine what it means to center Indigenous perspectives, how we can avoid overly individualistic approaches to examine the well-being of students, and how SALAMANDER might be implemented with younger students.