Digital Commons Network^™

Fort Hays State University Tiger Weekly, December 12, 2025, University Relations

Tiger Weekly Newsletters

No abstract provided.

A Trigger For The Autonomous Decommissioning Of Smart Devices, Ravindra Mangar, Jared Chandler, Jingyu Qian, Carl A. Gunter, Timothy J. Pierson, David Kotz

Dartmouth Scholarship

Smart devices are ubiquitous in modern environments, yet their decommissioning phase remains poorly studied and often overlooked in system design. We define secure decommissioning as the process by which a smart device securely disconnects from its environment and makes sensitive data inaccessible. If not decommissioned, devices may retain sensitive information – such as security credentials or user-behavior data that could be recovered by an adversary. Unfortunately, some users may forget to decommission a device when they dispose or sell it, and cannot decommission a device that is lost or stolen. This paper investigates a trigger mechanism for individual wireless smart …

Respect: Glmc Forming Cross Cultural Values And Relationships, Yeow Chye Ng, Kylie Patricia Russell, Intima Alrimawi, Krista A. White, Sylvia Oger Ofosu Dwamena, Jennifer Bail, Beth Tigges, Wendy Sergeant, Maureen P. Lall, Jennifer J. Miller, Miriam Wagoro

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: In leadership, the mentor-mentee relationship fosters professional growth and development. Central to this dynamic is the principle of respect, which serves as the foundation for effective cross-cultural communication, trust, and empowerment.^1,2

Purpose: This paper explores the significance of respect in mentor-mentee interactions within the fifth cohort of the Global Leadership Mentoring Community (GLMC), which spans from 2023 to 2025 and includes participants from six continents across Sigma Theta Tau International’s Global Regions. Through real-life examples, we will illustrate the profound impact of respect on mentoring relationships and leadership development.

Implications: Throughout this program, we have learned that …

The Policy Project: Translating Menstrual Equity Resources, Ashley Jackman

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This creative project focuses on translating key materials from The Period Project, a campaign by the Utah nonprofit The Policy Project that tackles menstrual inequity by pushing for free period products in schools and public spaces. Their educational toolkits guide students and parents toward menstrual resources and outline compliance requirements for school administrators. However, a significant portion of Utah’s population speaks Spanish at home, and current toolkits are not readily available in Spanish. As a Spanish translation major, I saw this as an opportunity to use my skills in a real-world setting, as the translated toolkit will be immediately electronically …

Reimagining Nurse Education: Virtual Reality & Didactic Education For Better Nurse Handoff And Documentation, Haley M. Whalen

Master's Projects and Capstones

Setting: The pediatric perianesthesia unit (pre-operative and post-anesthesia care unit). Problem: Gaps in perianesthesia documentation contribute to poor handoff communication, leading to adverse events and increased hospital costs. Additionally, inconsistent documentation reduces clarity and consistency during handoffs. Context: Staff in the microsystem reported low confidence scores with required OP-Time documentation, inconsistent workflows, and I-PASS handoff expectations. These factors contribute to incomplete charting and a lack of standardization across providers. Interventions: A two-part educational intervention was conducted, consisting of eight sessions. The first component is a Virtual Reality (VR) simulation that demonstrates an accurate perianesthesia I-PASS handoff. The second …

Promoting Interprofessional Collaboration By Increasing Visibility Of Volunteer Doula Services, Ciera Rose Zelie

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective: The 22-bed Labor and Delivery (L&D) unit lacks a standardized model to introduce doulas, clarify their scope of practice, or communicate the value of the services they provide. To address this gap, the team developed a standardized doula awareness poster featuring each doula's name, photo, years of experience, and personal interests. Aim: Enhance visibility and promote the integration of doula support to strengthen team collaboration and patient engagement. Methods: A pre- and post-implementation survey was distributed exclusively to the volunteer doulas. After the doula awareness poster was displayed for four weeks, a post-survey assessed these same domains to determine …

Becoming A Social Worker: A Journey Through Community, Justice, And Recovery, Willow Coefield

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio is the culminating project for the Master of Social Work program at the University of Montana and demonstrates advanced integrated practice through coursework, practicum, and professional experience. It is organized into an introduction, theoretical orientation, and focused sections on trauma‑informed care and rural and Indigenous contexts of practice, followed by a mapping of portfolio artifacts to core elements and competencies, a conclusion, references, and appendices of key graduate assignments. Drawing on artifacts such as positionality work, case studies, diagnostic assessment, group design, program evaluation, policy analysis, and leadership projects, the portfolio illustrates growth in ethical and professional behavior, …

Msw Portfolio, Angeline Fox Wahl

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Toward A Unified Network Flow Framework: From Conservation Principles To Fluid Dynamics Models, Zonghan Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

Network flows govern a wide range of critical systems, from tangible infrastructures like transportation and power grids to replicable processes such as information spread and epidemics. While tangible flows obey conservation laws and physical constraints, replicable flows, like rumors or viruses, can grow, decay, or vanish unpredictably. Despite their increasing interaction in real-world settings, these flow types are typically modeled in isolation, using disconnected mathematical frameworks. This dissertation presents a unified modeling approach that bridges the gap between conserved and replicable flows by embedding principles from fluid dynamics into graph-based propagation models. I introduce physically informed extensions to classical models, …

Peace To The Fallen, Resilience To The Living, Michele M. Brockie

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Holding Space, Creating Change: A Journey Through Social Work, Angela M. Millet

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Holding Space, Creating Change reflects my journey through the Master of Social Work program and the personal, academic, and professional growth that shaped my emerging identity as a social worker. Rooted in a person-in-environment perspective and guided by trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and justice-oriented frameworks, this portfolio integrates my learning across coursework, practicum experiences, and community-based work. I trace my development from an early interest in macro-level advocacy to a deep commitment to clinical practice grounded in empathy, connection, and humility.

Throughout this portfolio, I demonstrate competence across the advanced generalist dimensions of ethical practice, ADEI engagement, research-informed practice, policy analysis, …

Healing, Together, Courtney Cleek

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio reviews the topics of mutual rehabilitation and the human animal bond (HAB) as a holistic approach to addressing topics of mental health, suicide prevention, and innovative services. Displaying work through the Ten Specialization Year Competencies and the Five Elements of Advanced Integrative Practice, we examine ways to expand social justice, amplify voices, and promote healing within our communities.

Ripples Of Impact: A Journey In Social Work Practice, Talisa Marie Hides

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio, Ripples of Impact: A Journey in Social Work Practice, reflects my academic and professional development throughout the Master of Social Work program at the University of Montana. It demonstrates the integration of theory, research, and practice across diverse contexts, including trauma-informed care, rural and Indigenous communities, and pediatric behavioral health. The narrative highlights my progression from foundational knowledge to advanced competencies in ethical practice, cultural humility, advocacy, and leadership. Through practicum experiences, collaborative projects, and community engagement, I have strengthened my ability to assess, intervene, and evaluate at micro, mezzo, and macro levels. This work underscores my …

Empathy In Action: A Personal Transformation, Kiley S. Radich

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio reflects both my accomplishments and my development as an advanced integrated practitioner. It is also a testament to the love, experiences, and opportunities that have shaped me and continue to inspire my practice.

Learning, Becoming, And Practicing: My Msw Portfolio, Mario G. Colucci

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Hope In The Midst Of Trajedy, Rose S. Deroche

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Social Work In Practice, The Final Stretch, Madison M. Fernandez

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This professional portfolio reflects what I have learned in the MSW program at the University of Montana.

Journey Through, Cathan B. Tautfest

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

Journey Through is the Master's Portfolio for the University of Montana for Author Cathan Tautfest. This paper serves as the capstone graduation requirement for students of the School of Social Work. Over the final semester of the Master's program, this Portfolio was created, reviewed by committee, and defended before its publication. This Portfolio is a culmination of three years and thousands of hours to demonstrate mastery of the ten Social Work competencies, the elements of Social Work Practice, and critically reflect on time spent in the School of Social Work's Master's of Social Work (MSW) program. This Portfolio reflects on …

Electrochemical Detection Of No And Ca2+ During Cold Atmospheric Plasma Treatment Of Acute Wounds: Sensor Selectivity And Stability In The Plasma-Bio-System, Jonathan E. Thomas, Kristina Pattison, Suneel Kumar, Gagana Karkada, Duncan Trosan, Aunic Goodin, Jason Rainone, Dnyaneshwari Rananavare, Vandana Miller, Francois Berthiaume, Katharina Stapelmann

Kimmel Cancer Center Faculty Papers

Cold atmospheric plasmas (CAP) are a versatile tool in medical applications like wound healing. Its therapeutic benefits are partially attributed to the generation of biologically active reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS). Characterization of RONS, however, typically only occurs after treatment. Here we report the first real-time in situ detection of CAP-generated nitric oxide (NO), and the simultaneous detection of cellular calcium ions (Ca²⁺) release using electrochemical sensors during CAP treatment of murine wounds. In vivo, NO rose rapidly within the first minute of CAP treatment but accumulated less overall than in PBS, reflecting reactions with wound-bed targets. In situ …

Seagrassnet Monitoring In The Great Bay Estuary, Nh/Me Field Season 2024, Kalle Matso, Lara M. Martin, Christopher Whitney, Amanda Giacchetti, Trevor Mattera, David M. Burdick, Thomas K. Gregory

PREP Reports & Publications

No abstract provided.

Technological Disruption And Regulatory Response: The Case Of Decentralised Finance, Jakub Wisła, Jolanta Bartoszewska

Journal of Banking and Financial Economics

This article examines responses to the regulatory challenges posed by decentralised finance (DeFi), a fast-evolving domain of blockchain-based financial innovation. It investigates the factors shaping divergent regulatory strategies, with a focus on the European Union’s comprehensive cryptoasset framework and selected comparative insights. Adopting a qualitative legal methodology – combining doctrinal-functional analysis, multivocal literature review, and two case studies – the authors explore how regulatory responses are influenced by three key variables: legal tradition, the financial function performed by blockchain-based solutions, and the level of technological and institutional autonomy. The case studies – Bitcoin as a payment instrument and cryptoassets as …

Courage To Lead Translational, Dissemination And Implementation Sciences, Mary A. Dolansky

Biennial Convention (CONV)

This presentation describes the bold foundations of nursing leadership in evidence-based quality improvement and patient safety and points to present and future directions in the field. National initiatives have surged forward to achieve the goal of safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable and patient centered care. The nursing perspective in this rapidly expanding field of translational science is essential to achieve the greatest impact on best practices, strong care systems, and improved population health.

National Resources To Maximize Nursing’S Implementation Capacity And Influence, Kathleen R. Stevens

Biennial Convention (CONV)

This presentation will describe the current availability of capacity building resources, pointing to ways of leveraging existing national resources and adding the nursing perspective. The panel’s consensus strategies will be outlined. Panelists will engage the broad base of nurse scholars in attendance to further delineate strategies. Recommendations will be solicited regarding implementation science theories, methods, and strategies that inform practice change and implementation science research through a nursing lens. The session will be summarized with a focus on the next bold steps to increase nursing capacity and influence on implementation science in research and practice.

Represent: Glmc Bringing Sigma’S Global Regions Together, Viji George, Dorette Sugg Welk, Juana Mercedes Gutierrez Valverde, Elizabeth Wescott

Biennial Convention (CONV)

As professional nurses and Sigma members, the Global Leadership Mentoring Community (GLMC), with its outreach, connects Sigma’s vast diversity and capability of representing global nurses, a Sigma Call to Action (2023-2025).¹

Purpose: To understand the impact of GLMC on serving as ambassadors of Sigma, coming together through mentoring relationships to build a cross-cultural leadership platform, and seeking collective solutions for global healthcare issues.

Background: Sigma brings nursing expertise across the globe and emphasizes how nurses play key role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDM),² Global nurse leaders impact healthcare and cost-effectiveness on quality, safety, and outcomes.³ Mentorship …

Respond: Glmc Investing In Nursing Leadership To Address Global Health Challenges, Elizabeth Rosser, Julie Grady, Sylvia Waweru, Beth Chiatti, Katherine Chike-Harris

Biennial Convention (CONV)

Introduction: Responding to the global challenges of investing in nursing leadership and the demands of modern nursing care is a key aspect of the Sigma Call to Action.¹ The World Health Organization² and the International Council of Nurses³ both recognize the health, economic, social, and emotional benefits of investing in nursing leadership to the individual, the workforce, and the wider community and, by being more culturally aware,⁴ influence health more widely.⁵ Sigma’s Global Leadership Mentoring Community is one strategy that responds to this challenge.^6,7

Purpose: To present insights into participants’ expectations and short-term achievements …

Prevalence Of Bruxism And Its Association With Stress Among Dental Students: A Questionnaire-Based Cross-Sectional Study, Ketavatu Durga Prasad Naik, Prasanthi Gortha, Madhu Varma, Mohan Kumar, Rama Laxmi Koruprolu, Mounika Rameswarapu

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objective: Bruxism has been described as a parafunction associated with a multifactorial etiology, but primarily as a psychological factor. This study determined the prevalence of bruxism among dental students and explored the potential contributing factors. Methods: A cross-sectional self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among dental students across various academic years. The prevalence of bruxism (awake and during sleep) was assessed along with stress levels, lifestyle factors, and demographic variables. Statistical analyses were performed using the chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of bruxism was significantly associated with stress and academic workload. Most participants exhibited moderate to severe …

Dental Students’ Preferences In Selecting Artificial Teeth For Older Adults' Dentures, Muhammad Afif Sapie, Nur Hanim Farhana Mohamad Hilmi, Aiemeeza Rajali, Nik Rahayyu Nik Zulkifeli, Nor Wati Nur Atikah Mustafa, Hazem Mofreh Dakhilallah Al Tarawneh

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objective: Selecting and arranging acrylic resin teeth for dentures is essential to achieve a natural appearance; however, limited understanding and older adults’ aesthetic expectations may result in inconsistencies and increased patient visits. This study aimed to explore the methods and factors dental students prefer when selecting artificial teeth for dentures for older adults. Method: A validated questionnaire, including consent, demographics, and six domains of the methods with related factors for selecting acrylic teeth, was distributed to dental students of the Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM). The participants responded using a five-point Likert scale and closed-ended questions. Result: 161 dental students participated …

Evaluation Of Maxillary Posterior Teeth Proximity To The Adjacent Sinuses In A Turkish Subpopulation: Implications For Dental Education And Clinical Practice, Damla Yiğit, Gizem Dolaşir, Sabri Çelik, Rüya Sessiz, Raif Alan

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the proximity of upper posterior tooth roots to adjacent sinus borders using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in a Turkish subpopulation and to assess dental students’ competence in identifying this anatomical relationship. Methods: CBCT scans of 171 patients were analyzed. The vertical relationship between premolars and molar roots, and the maxillary sinus (MS) border was categorized into four types (Type 0–3). Interrater agreement between three final-year dental students and an experienced radiologist was measured. Results: Type 0 was the most frequent classification, except for first molars, where Type 2 and Type 3 predominated. MS-root distances …

Individualized Oral Care Using Photobiomodulation And Tailored Brushing Method In A Patient With Maxillofacial Trauma – A Case Report, Shruthi Reghunath, Roshni Ramesh, S Santhosh Kumar, Anoop Sasi, Shahana C. Mohamed, Bilha Joy, Aswathy Jayasree

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

Patients who report to the dental outpatient department following maxillofacial trauma often exhibit suboptimal oral hygiene, which is frequently attributed to challenges in sustaining oral care stemming from pain and restricted mouth opening after the injury. This case report aims to provide an individualized protocol of oral care and pain management for patients with maxillofacial trauma. Case report: A treatment protocol combining the Tailored Brushing Method (TBM), a personalized approach for at-home oral hygiene, and photobiomodulation using low-level laser was performed on a 24-year-old patient with maxillofacial trauma and poor oral hygiene. Results: The TBM is successful in achieving good …

Concurrent Tb And Hiv Therapies Control Tb Reactivation During Co-Infection But Not Chronic Immune Activation, Riti Sharan, Yi Zou, Bindu Singh, Vinay Shivanna, Edward J Dick, Shannan Hall-Ursone, Xi Luo, Guanlin Guo, Shabaana A Khader, Xavier Alvarez, Jyothi Rengarajan, Zhao Lai, Smriti Mehra, Hulin Wu, Deepak Kaushal

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Most HIV-negative individuals exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) control infection as latent TB infection (LTBI), but HIV co-infection greatly increases progression to tuberculosis (TB), the leading cause of death in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Although combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) reduces LTBI reactivation, immune control of Mtb is not fully restored, as shown by persistent TB incidence in PLHIV on cART. In macaques, skewed pulmonary effector memory CD4⁺ T-cell (TEM) responses and new TB lesions persist despite cART. We hypothesize that concurrent anti-TB therapy with cART would improve bacterial control and immune restoration compared to cART alone. Using …