Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding Submerged Plant Microbiome And Exploring Plant Microbe Interaction Through Plasma Optimization Studies, Binoop Mohan

All ETDs from UAB

The master's thesis presents research on enhancing plant resilience and growth through the study of the microbiome of submerged aquatic plants and the application of plasma technology in agriculture. We isolated 177 endophytic microbial strains from submerged plants collected from various locations. Screening revealed 50 strains producing ACC deaminase, an enzyme that mitigates plant stress by reducing ethylene levels. Predominant genera included Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Acinetobacter. Metagenomic analysis characterized the diverse bacterial communities associated with these plants. Different plasma treatments were tested to optimize their effects on plant growth. Atmospheric jet and globe plasma treatments significantly improved root length and …

Therapeutic Implications Of Fractionated Radiotherapy And Marcks’ Regulation Of Tunneling Nanotubes In Glioblastoma, Lauren Catherine Nassour-Caswell

All ETDs from UAB

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain malignancy in adults and the gradual development of treatment resistance prevents patients from achieving remission. A primary objective in the field is to devise strategies to overcome this. We predicted this could be achieved by improving existing therapies, creating better models to study GBM, and by identifying a potential therapeutic target. Fractionated radiotherapy (RT) has been used in GBM standard of care for over a century but does not account for GBM heterogeneity. We first hypothesized that in silico mathematical modeling would be a useful tool for cytotoxicity prediction. While this model …

Exploring The Impact Of Returning To Office Work Post-Pandemic On The Mental Health Of Workers: A Cross-Sectional Analysis, Jasmine M. Nelson

All ETDs from UAB

This study examines the association between work settings and mental health outcomes among Black working-aged women, with a focus on racial disparities and the role of self-care. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 Household Pulse Survey, this cross-sectional analysis includes responses from 196,293 employed women aged 18–65. Mental health outcomes, including anxiety, worry, lack of interest, and depressive symptoms—were assessed through self-reported measures. Work settings were categorized as telework (hybrid/remote) or in-office, and logistic regression models were used to assess associations between work setting and mental health outcomes, adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic factors. Findings indicate that Black …

Exploring Gaps In Hiv Prevention: Hiv Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Awareness, Attitudes, Utilization, Coverage, Hiv Testing And Risk Perception Among Sub-Saharan African College Students In The United States, Ikenna Obasi Odii

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation focuses on increasing HIV awareness and contributing to efforts at reducing new HIV infections among Sub-Saharan African (SSA) college students. It begins with an introductory chapter one and ends in the concluding chapter five. Chapter two presents a systematic review identifying key gaps in HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) knowledge, attitudes, and utilization among Black college students in the United States (U.S). The review synthesizes findings from four studies, revealing that a third of participants demonstrated adequate PrEP knowledge, while PrEP utilization remained under-utilized at three percent. Key barriers to PrEP uptake included fear, low self-perceived HIV risk, infrequent …

Environmental Exposure To Metals In Children And Their Effects On Autism Spectrum Disorder, Oludesola Ogunesan

All ETDs from UAB

ABSTRACT As scientific understanding of environmental determinants of health advances, growing attention has turned to the role of toxic metal exposures in exacerbating neurodevelopmental outcomes, particularly in vulnerable populations such as children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This dissertation investigates the intersection of environmental metal exposure, biomonitoring innovation, and social factors shaping ASD severity in Alabama. Using a multidisciplinary framework, four interrelated studies explore biological, environmental, and participatory dimensions of ASD research and public health. The first study evaluates the utility of Volumetric Absorptive Microsampling (VAMS) for measuring exposure to cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), and mercury …

Precision Imaging For Head And Neck Tumors, Logan Daniel Stone

All ETDs from UAB

Antibody-based imaging modalities have become more common in the field of imaging oncology as more biomarkers are identified for certain cancers. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in several cancer types including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and ameloblastoma (AB). The over- expression in these cancers has been targeted with antibodies such as Panitumumab and Cetuximab for imaging modalities. These antibodies can be conjugated with IRDye800 molecules for intraoperative fluorescence imaging or radiolabel for pre-operative positron emission tomography/ computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging. These agents could provide surgeons with additional exams to identify carcinoma in scenarios where only …

"It Says Mommy’S Coffee!": Environmental Print As A Tool To Support Young Children’S Emergent Literacy And Family Engagement In Early Care And Education, Melissa Dawn Sudduth

All ETDs from UAB

This study addressed topics related to family engagement in early childhood education, emergent literacy skills, and the use of environmental print (EP) to support young children’s emergent literacy. The children of interest in this study were young children between the ages of birth and 5-years enrolled in licensed, private early care and education (ECE) centers in Alabama. The researcher employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design using a quantitative survey and qualitative interviews to address the following mixed methods questions: How do families of young children perceive family engagement?, Which emergent literacy skills do families of young children value and …

Adapting The Minority Stress Model Among Middle-Aged And Older Adults With And Without Hiv: Understanding The Interplay Between Minority Stress, Mental Health, And Sexual Risk Behaviors, Alexis R Long Thompson

All ETDs from UAB

This dissertation aims to adapt Meyer’s Minority Stress Model to understand the interplay between minority stress, mental health, and sexual risk behaviors among middle-aged and older adults with and without HIV. The study utilizes data from the MACS WIHS Combined Cohort Study, focusing on adults aged 40 and older. It examines the relationships between perceived stress, psychosocial factors (depression, substance use, social support), and sexual risk behaviors, considering the impact of minority identities such as race, gender, sexual orientation, and HIV status. The findings highlight significant differences in perceived stress, depressive symptoms, substance use, and social support across different intersectional …

Conference Program 2025, Georgia Southern University

Georgia International Conference on Information Literacy

2025 Program

Navigating The Gap Between Correlational And Intervention Studies Of Fatherhood And Children’S Development: A Family Systems Ecological Perspective, Philip A. Cowan, Carolyn Pape Cowan, Marsha Kline Pruett, Kyle D. Pruett

School for Social Work: Faculty Publications

Objective.

In fatherhood research, a large gap has emerged between correlation-based studies and the design of interventions to increase the quantity and quality of fathers’ involvement in their families. The correlational research suggests that all family members could benefit from fatherhood intervention designs that attempt to reduce risks and strengthen protective conditions in multiple family domains—an approach consistent with family systems theories and ecological theories of child development. But most fatherhood interventions have been designed solely for fathers and focus primarily on parenting. Even in rare instances in which both parents are included in a father-focused parenting intervention, the curriculum …

"The Gift Of A Golden Voice": Shaping The Right Of Publicity To Protect Performers From A.I. Abuses, Sebastian Saavedra

Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal

The note explores the evolving nature of the right of publicity, a unique area of intellectual property and privacy law that protects individuals' control over their likeness and persona. It examines the challenges posed by emerging technologies, particularly AI-generated content, and advocates for a balanced approach that integrates elements from trademark and copyright law while respecting First Amendment rights. The analysis emphasizes the need to protect performers' rights to their public image without undermining established legal frameworks.

The Struggle For Equity In Education: Affirmative Action And Systemic Change, Derek Truong

Tredway Library Prize for First-Year Research

Derek’s paper analyzed both the oppressive and liberating roles the education system holds within society. He grounded this research by examining this paradox within the case study of affirmative action, particularly alongside the experiences of Asian Americans and other historically marginalized perspectives. By examining educational theories, Derek argued that a critical analysis of affirmative action demystifies this paradox and exposes deeper systemic inequities in the education system. With a nuanced view of affirmative action based on theory, Derek concluded that systemic and pedagogical changes can occur with internal reforms, such as integrating a more inclusive curriculum that reflects a diverse …

Doping Hybrid Photopolymerisable Glass With Bodipy Photosensitiser: An Efficient Approach To Improve Uv-Resistance, Luca Sorridente, Tatsiana Mikulchyk, Metodej Dvoracek, Mikhail A. Filatov, Izabela Naydenova, Kevin P. Murphy

Conference Papers

The development of photosensitive materials with improved performance and extended functionality is crucial for advancing holographic technologies. This study presents the modification and characterization of a recently reported photopolymerisable glass composition, focusing on achieving an optimal balance between maximizing photosensitivity of the material during recording and minimizing the impact of UV light on the performance of the recorded holographic structure. Building on these findings, the ultimate goal is to develop UV-resistant holographic optical elements for wavefront sensing in space applications. The research approach is based on introducing a photosensitiser with weaker UV absorption than the typically used in this material …

“Flies Don't Make Honey": An Exploration Of Preschoolers’ Feelings And Actions Towards Nature, Kathrin Paal

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

The burgeoning climate crisis resulting from anthropogenically enhanced global warming has made protection, restoration and affection for the environment an increasingly urgent matter. The irresponsible use of resources and pollution has caused, and will continue to cause, disastrous impacts on habitats and ecosystems globally; we urgently need to better care for the natural environment. Children’s perceptions towards nature are formed during early experiences. There is a research gap for age-appropriate methods to understand children’s perspectives whilst conceptualising them as the experts in their own lives and meaningfully enhancing their involvement in research. The aim of this thesis is to explore …

Which Discourses Underpin Long-Term, Autistic/Non-Autistic Romantic Couples’ Understandings Of Their Relationship As They Live With And Accommodate Each Other? A Critical Discourse/Narrative Inquiry, Vivien Southall

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

This piece of work draws on both critical discourse and critical narrative inquiry to examine the long-term romantic relationship experiences of those in autistic/non-autistic long-term romantic relationships. Four couples participated, three heterosexual and one female same-sex couple. The participants were given the opportunity to tell their narratives in a variety of forms, through interviews, emails, stories and with photographs and mementoes as prompts. These forms inspired the way that the data was retold in the research using a variety of styles reflecting the narrative choices of the participants. Through interviews with participants individually and as a couple, over sixteen months, …

‘At Least I Wasn't In An Inner-City Flat With A Partner I Hated’: An Auto/Biographical Study Of Reflections On Well-Being By 35-65 Year Olds In Cornwall Following The Covid-19 Pandemic, Cheralyn May

School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Theses

The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health have been considerably researched since its start in 2019, by researchers from a range of disciplines around the world. This sociological study (using insights from social and positive psychology) contributes to our knowledge of the pandemic by using qualitative methods – fourteen semi-structured interviews and researcher auto/biography to investigate the mental health experiences of middle-aged, single adults living in Cornwall in the UK during the pandemic. In the pandemic literature, this is an under-researched, and therefore potentially less understood, group and location. The data was analysed using a combination of the …

Standardization Of The Vermicompost For Organic Cultivation Of Andrographis Paniculata (Burm. F.) Wallich Ex Nees, Ranjeet Kumar Yadav, Saurabh Singh, Priya, Geet Govind Sinam, Lal Bahadur

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wallich ex Nees is an important medicinal plant that belongs to the family Acanthaceae . It has been used to treat many human diseases since ancient times. The pharmaceutical industries accept only organically grown biomass of A. paniculata that is free from contamination. Vermicompost is an important organic manure that is used as an organic source for the cultivation of crops. The experiment aims to find the optimum dose of vermicompost for organic cultivation of A. paniculata. The different doses of the vermicompost, i.e., Control (T₁), 2.5 t/ha (T₂), 5 t/ha (T …

Reducing Transactional Distance With Ai: Examining The Role Of Chatbots In Online Student Satisfaction And Achievement, Joseph Rene Corbeil, Maria Elena Corbeil

Teaching and Learning Faculty Publications

This study explored graduate students’ perceptions of an AI-powered chatbot integrated into an online education course, guided by Moore’s (1997) Theory of Transactional Distance. A total of 47 students completed a survey assessing Dialogue, Structure, Learner Autonomy, Satisfaction, Perceived Achievement, and Intent to Continue Use. Regression analyses revealed that all three transactional distance dimensions significantly predicted student satisfaction, with Dialogue as the strongest predictor. Dialogue and Structure were significant predictors of perceived achievement, while Learner Autonomy significantly predicted students’ intention to use chatbots in future courses. Qualitative responses reinforced these findings, emphasizing the chatbot’s helpfulness and responsiveness. Overall, results suggest …

“Forced Worship Stinks In God’S Nostrils”: The Inquisition, Sepharad, And The American Experiment, Isaac Amon

Touro Law Review

In December 1791, the Bill of Rights, comprising the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, enshrined fundamental protections for individual freedoms, with the First Amendment guaranteeing liberty of conscience. This milestone, however, was the culmination of centuries of struggle. The arrival of Iberian Jews, including conversos, in North America played a pivotal role in shaping the course of American history. The Founders referenced the Inquisition in their letters and debates, particularly in discussions on legal protections for criminal suspects and the broader issue of religious liberty. Founding assurances of religious freedom to Jews and Christians stand in stark contrast …

A Market-Based Approach To Effective Slaughterhouse Line Speed Regulation, Kailey Mcneal

Animal Law Review

The nature of animal agriculture in the United States is heavily industrialized and profit-centered. Industrial animal agriculture maximizes profits and production by employing low-wage workers to do significant loads of labor. Slaughterhouses’ implementation of faster line speeds reflects this tactic. As the industry continues to increase line speeds to boost profits, workers, animals, and the environment continue to face augmented risks to their health and safety. Nonetheless, slaughterhouse line speeds at the federal level remain largely un- and under-regulated. The current federal regulatory scheme is unduly influenced by industry interests, prioritizes profit over safety, and lacks effective enforcement mechanisms. Through …

The Ill-Fated History Of Animal Protection Laws: Why Congress Must Create An Animal Protection Agency, Melissa Baines

Animal Law Review

Over the years, the United States Congress has passed several federal laws with the intention of protecting animals from being subjected to inhumane treatment by humans. Such laws have great potential to create positive change for animals, but all of these laws have been delegated to inappropriate government agencies for oversight and enforcement. It is time to finally remove the impossible task placed upon these federal agencies—who have been asked to carry out their own stated mandates while also promulgating rules that effectuate animal protection laws in conflict with those same mandates—by creating a federal Animal Protection Agency with the …

Social Justice, Practical Lawyering, And The Elephant In Solitary Confinement: Why Animal Law Belongs In The Legal Writing Classroom, Conley Wouters

Animal Law Review

Animal law has grown exponentially since its genesis in the late 1970s. It is the subject of survey courses, seminars, clinics, and law reviews. But animal law per se has not made its way into the legal writing discipline, and its absence creates missed opportunities for legal writing instructors to improve our teaching and help our students develop critical lawyering skills. This Article argues that we should seize these opportunities and incorporate animal law into legal writing classes.

The Article begins by summarizing the argument and offering a gen-eral description of how legal writing professors and their students stand to …

Leaving Pawprints On Our Hearts: Bystander Recovery For Witnessing The Negligent Killing Of A Companion Animal, John G. Browning

Animal Law Review

According to the Pew Research Center, nearly all (97%) Americans with companion animals consider their “furbabies” to be members of the family. This is reflected in a number of other areas, from state and federal laws re-garding emergency management that recognize four-legged members of the family unit to divorce and custody laws in multiple states that require courts to treat companion animals not as property, but as family members. Soci-ologists and psychologists have also documented the expanding recognition of the “multispecies family.” However, the majority of states’ laws still view companion animals as chattel property, even as more and more …

Insects, Ai Systems, And The Future Of Legal Personhood, Jeff Sebo

Animal Law Review

This Article makes a case for insect and AI legal personhood. Humans share the world not only with large animals like chimpanzees and elephants but also with small animals like ants and bees. In the future, we might also share the world with sentient or otherwise morally significant AI systems. These realities raise questions about what kind of legal status insects, AI systems, and other nonhumans should have in the future. At present, debates about legal personhood mostly exclude these kinds of individuals. However, I argue that our current framework for assessing legal personhood, coupled with our current framework for …

Reducing Opioid Use Following Posterior Spinal Fusion Procedures: A Pilot Project, Kevin Matthew Cornett

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Importance: Opioid misuse and mortality remain a prevalent problem in the United States and there is a high rate of chronic opioid-use after spinal fusions. Current guidelines recommend the optimization of non-opioid analgesics as a primary pain control strategy with opioids acting as a secondary agent. Objective: To pilot an analgesic decision tree (ADT) featuring non-opioid analgesics to reduce postoperative pain, opioid consumption, and the incidence of adverse events during the first 48 hours after patients undergo a posterior spinal fusion. Methods: A literature review of opioid-sparing analgesics was conducted and a protocol developed as an interdisciplinary collaboration. The ADT …

Readmission Reduction Of 1st Year Transplant Recipients, Kristin Freed

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Abstract Readmission Reduction of 1st Year Transplant Recipients Clear communication with patients at their health-literacy level improves patient outcomes, fosters trust, and is associated with readmission reduction. Readmission of transplant recipients are correlated with morbidity, medical errors, higher healthcare economic costs, and indicative of decreased survival post- transplant. Literature suggests that up to 72% of transplant recipients may have low health literacy increasing risk of readmission. The Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality created the REALM-SF assessment as a tool for medical providers to evaluate a patient’s health literacy status in a timely manner. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) …

New Leader Mentoring: Guiding Nursing Leaders Of The Future, Renee Marie Hammond

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Nursing leaders throughout our health care system are retiring or leaving at an alarming rate – over 60% of the nursing leader workforce is expected to leave in the next five years. Retention of new nurse leaders is crucial to retention of clinical nurses, morale, and patient outcomes. Development of a formal mentorship program between new nurse leaders and experienced nurse leaders is essential to reducing the intent to leave of leaders. The Aims of this project are to develop a mentorship program for new nurse leaders using an adaptation of the American Organization for Nursing Leadership Core Competencies, to …

Improving Equity In Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk, Jordan Levandoski

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

The current use of racial categorization in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) risk, limits assessment of confounders beyond cholesterol. The Life’s Essential Eight (LE8) categories of healthy diet, sleep, physical activity, smoking, body mass index, hypertension, total cholesterol, and blood glucose could reduce two million ASCVD events per year. The documentation of Z codes 55 – 65 describe social drivers of health (SDH) like housing, economics, and social systems which complicate care. Development of the ASCVD risk assessment and management protocol (ASCVD-RAMP) assessed ASCVD risk without race modification in patients aged 45 – 75 and improved health equity by pairing SDH …

Increasing Professional Interpreter Use To Improve Patient Outcomes On The Inpatient Oncology Unit, Kimberly Medina

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Language barriers in healthcare contribute to significant disparities including delays in diagnosis and treatment, patient confusion, and increased mortality (Kwan et al., 2023). Approximately 21.5% of the people in the United States speak a language other than English at home and 8.2% of that population subset report speaking English less than very well (U.S. Census Bureau, 2021). Furthermore, in 2023 8% of Medicare beneficiaries have limited English proficiency (LEP) speaking and 7% have LEP reading (Centers for Medicare &Medicaid, 2024). Ensuring meaningful language access to LEP patients is essential for improving clinical outcomes and maintaining compliance to federal anti-discrimination policies. …

Developing A Standardized Workplace Violence Prevention Program For Healthcare Leaders To Enhance Safety, Kaleena Soorma

Yale School of Nursing Digital Theses

Abstract

Developing a Standardized Workplace Violence Prevention Program for Healthcare Leaders to Enhance Safety

The increasing threat of Type 2 workplace violence (client on staff) in healthcare disproportionately impacts employees such as Nurses. Desensitization to this growing trend in healthcare has contributed to perceptions that WPV has become an unavoidable risk, especially for those delivering care in high-risk areas such as the emergency department (ED).

The critical need to reevaluate WPV prevention strategies in healthcare, while highlighting systemic failures such as underreporting, is integral to driving a culture of safety. This project aimed to provide a post-incident Type 2 WPV …