Digital Commons Network^™

Revisiting Circular Economy Rebound: Market Dynamics, Policy Implications, And Future Research Directions, Trevor Zink Ph.D., Benjamin H. Lowe, Andrea Genovese, David Font Vivaco

Management Faculty Works

The circular economy has gained momentum as a sustainability paradigm that aims to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation by promoting resource efficiency and waste minimization. However, mounting evidence points to a critical challenge: circular economy rebound (CER). This phenomenon occurs when efficiency improvements intended to reduce resource use provoke systemic, market, or behavioral responses that diminish or even reverse the anticipated environmental gains. This is particularly problematic within growth-oriented economies, where resource efficiency often reinforces rather than reduces consumption. This paper draws on insights from a roundtable discussion with leading experts—Trevor Zink, David Font Vivanco, and Andrea Genovese—to critically …

Secondhand Tobacco Smoke Exposure And Sleep Disturbance In School-Aged Children In Appalachian Ohio, Ketrell Mcwhorter, Christine Kim, Timothy J. Hilbert, Danielle E. Mcbride, Anthony A. Mangino, Patrick J. Parsons, Kurunthachalam Kannan, Erin N. Haynes

Epidemiology and Environmental Health Faculty Publications

Introduction: Secondhand tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure remains a major public health concern for children and has been implicated in sleep disturbances through biological and behavioral mechanisms. Different methods of measuring SHS exposure have yielded inconsistent results. This study examined the relationship between SHS exposure and sleep among rural Appalachian 7–9-year-olds, utilizing three SHS measurements: natural log-transformed (ln) serum cotinine concentrations, dichotomized serum cotinine levels (≥0.05 vs. <0.05 ng/ml), and parent/caregiver report of ≥1 smoker in the home. We hypothesized SHS-exposed children would have a significantly higher prevalence of sleep disturbance—e.g., short sleep, frequent snoring, night awakenings—compared to unexposed, regardless of measurement method. Methods: We used data from the Marietta Community Actively Researching Exposure Study, a cohort of 404 children in Marietta and Cambridge, Ohio. Sleep disturbances were parent/caregiver-reported. Linear models were used for continuous outcomes to estimate beta coefficients; log-binomial models with generalized estimating equations (exchangeable correlation) were applied for dichotomized outcomes to estimate prevalence ratios (PR), each with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Twenty-six percent of children had a parent/caregiver report of ≥1 sleep disturbance. There was a 35% increased prevalence of short sleep [PR = 1.35 (95%CI:1.02–1.80), p =.04] with each unit increase of ln serum cotinine levels, adjusting for age, sex, parent education, BMI percentile, and history of breathing difficulties in the past two years. Increasing ln serum cotinine levels were associated with a significant 5.5-min decrease in average sleep duration in age-adjusted models. Conclusions: Higher SHS exposure was associated with poorer sleep outcomes, with serum cotinine emerging as the only measure linked to short sleep, underscoring the importance of smoke-free environments, particularly in rural communities, and objective exposure assessment.

Modeling Healthcare Managerial And It Sophistication, Gary Hackbarth, Teuta Cata

Journal of International Technology and Information Management

Sophisticated healthcare managers understand that managing information and selecting technology are two related but separate skill sets. Information Technology Governance (ITG) allows healthcare organizations to deal with complex issues, compete effectively, and support patient needs by integrating managerial and IT sophistication to improve business performance. An organizational model that merges IT and managerial sophistication by improving ITG to forecast business outcomes must grasp the intricacies of technology to acquire, manage, and utilize information technology in alignment with business strategies. The proposed model differentiates between internal and external IT management strategic thinking, emphasizing the critical need to govern IT effectively by …

Delaware, Elizabeth Ford

Thin Blue Advantage: Police Exceptionalism and the Two-Tier System of Public Sector Collective Bargaining

Delaware law governing police and non-police bargaining is separated into two largely identical statutory schemes. Both statutes provide for interest arbitration and adopt “baseball arbitration” to expedite the arbitration process. Keeping with the goal of expedient dispute resolution, the state’s ULP process seems designed to facilitate settlement.

As a result of this ULP structure, there are few cases from Delaware’s PERB compared to other states. This may have to do with the fact that the myriad preliminary stages of ULP proceedings serve as “off-ramps” to encourage settlement and that the agency’s Executive Director (E.D.) has more power than non-Delaware analogs. …

Exploring The Educational Gap Of Virginia English Language Learners: Challenges And Opportunities For Academic Success, Amanda Purcell, Sochitl Rodriguez Kauffman

UROP Posters

English Language Learners (ELLs) in the state of Virginia have significantly lower scores in the Standards of Learning (SOL) assessment exam than those of their English-speaking peers. The SOL measures students’ mastery of knowledge and skills taught in the classroom, and over the last decade, passing rates of the assessment’s core subjects amongst ELLs have continued to decrease and remain relatively low. In the 2023-2024 academic year, the average passing rate for ELLs who took the Writing SOL was only 26%, with Science being not much higher at 29%, and Reading at 33%. For the non-ELL student body, average rates …

The Romanticization Of Human-Vampire Relationships: How 'Twilight' And 'The Vampire Diaries' May Prime Young Women To Accept Dating Violence, Natalie M. Bowen

UROP Posters

The first literary vampire can be traced back to 18th century Germany, with Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s poem “Die Braut von Korinth,” but the stereotypical features of a vampire are traditionally accredited to Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Modern vampires, such as Edward Cullen and Stefan Salvatore of the Twilight and The Vampire Diaries series respectively, have managed to win the hearts of teenage girls all across America with their sex appeal and charismatic nature. According to Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, individuals learn new behaviors by modeling and imitating the actions of those around them. This comprehensive literature review investigates the connection …

Spanking And Children's Approaches To Learning: Estimates From A Longitudinal Matched-Sample Design, Jeehye Kang, Christina M. Rodriguez

Sociology & Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

One form of corporal punishment commonly used in the United States is spanking. Spanking is a well-known risk factor for adverse child development, although its influence on children's approaches to learning (ATL) has been largely overlooked. Existing research is particularly limited in inadequately considering multiple confounds and selection biases in children's exposure to spanking. This study examined the links between spanking and children's ATL, using a matched-group design to strengthen causal estimates among children aged 5 to 7.5 (N = similar to 12,800) from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010-2011. Entropy-balanced matching mitigated selection and confounding biases, …

A.R.A.Y. (2025), Lucía Martín Romero

Grado en Diseño de Moda

El proyecto pretende ahondar el concepto de identidad individual y como a través de las experiencias personales y el papel de los recuerdos esta se va moldeando a lo largo del tiempo, en un proceso que teóricamente no encuentra un punto final. A su vez, se trata de manera subyacente el término autoconocimiento, como parte del proceso de construcción identitaria, y como permite comprender nuestras emociones y la forma en la que actuamos. Se busca identificar y tratar aquellos factores que influyen y definen dicha identidad, haciendo especial énfasis en los recuerdos personales, utilizando como base teórica la obra “EL …

The Stage. Fashion Branding Agency (2025), María Rodríguez Jaro

Grado en Diseño de Moda

Este Trabajo de fin de grado se centra en la creación de una agencia de comunicación de moda especializada en branding para marcas emergentes. En un sector saturado y altamente competitivo, estas marcas suelen enfrentar desafíos significativos para destacar debido a la falta de una identidad sólida y estrategias de comunicación efectivas. Esta situación limita su capacidad para conectarse emocionalmente con su público objetivo y, por fin, alcanzar un crecimiento sostenible.

“La mente es selectiva, y si la marca no pasa por el corazón y emociona, se olvida” (Urrea, 2016), esto ocurre debido a la falta de una estrategia de …

Improving Student Support On A Decentralized Campus, Delaney Ybarra, Andrea Garrity, Erica L. Wagner

Office of Academic Affairs Publications

Project management has been a key tool in many industries, such as technology and construction, yet it remains underutilized in the higher education sector. In 2013, Portland State University’s Office of Student Success adopted a project management framework to improve student outcomes. This article describes how in using project management we developed a pilot program that helped administer hardship funds to students, what the outcomes were, and how it advanced the project across a decentralized landscape.

Exploring Gender Disappointment: Social Stigma, Underlying Shame, And Grieving An Idealized Family… “Oh Well, As Long As It’S A Healthy Baby!”, Melanie Scaccio

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Gender disappointment (GD) refers to the sadness parents feel when the sex of their child differs from their preference (Groenewald, 2016). While GD is a globally recognized phenomenon, research in the United States remains limited despite anecdotal evidence on social media and restrictive gender norms (Heise et al., 2019). This qualitative study explored the subjective experiences of GD in American mothers. Twelve biologically female participants, aged 18 and older, who experienced GD were recruited through convenience and snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews conducted via video conferencing, averaging 40 minutes, were analyzed using grounded theory methodology (Auerbach & Silverstein, 2003). A member …

Emergency Shift To Remote Cbt: Clinicians’ Evolving Experiences, Angela Flanagan M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote health services have surged in popularity. This study focuses on the initial experiences of CBT psychologists previously untrained in telehealth during the emergency shift to remote therapy, and how these attitudes and experiences have evolved over the last four years. Participants included nine licensed clinical psychologists previously untrained in remote therapy who were practicing CBT treatment for at least two years before the pandemic. This phenomenological qualitative research design involved semi-structured interviews with these nine psychologists. The analysis revealed three main interpretive themes: (1) Experiences Related to the Human Factor, (2) Experiences …

An Investigation: How Long-Term Meditation Practices Serve As Change Agents For Positive Parenting, Diana Serras

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

This research study investigated, analyzed, and compared stress, depression, and anxiety levels between parents who are long-term meditation practitioners and those who are not. By exploring questions related to the impact of mindfulness on parental stress levels, parent-child interactions, emotional awareness, self-regulation, and nonjudgmental acceptance, the research sheds light on the transformative potential of long-term meditation practices for mindful parenting. The study adopted a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative survey data with qualitative insights to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. The research included quantitative data from three self-report instruments and qualitative data from five case studies to explore …

Survey Study On College Student’S Acceptance And Attitude Towards Generative Ai To Their Learning, Jinhua Wang

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

This study investigated college students’ attitudes and acceptance of generative AI tools like ChatGPT. These tools are advanced programs capable of understanding questions and responding in a conversational manner. The main objective is to determine whether college students find generative AI tools helpful for their learning and schoolwork. A comprehensive survey was conducted with 57 college students at an online survey platform SurveyMonkey.com. The survey solicited college students’ perceived usefulness of generative AI tools in academic settings regarding their school activities (such as writing papers, explaining complex topics, coding, solving math problems, and researching information). The model of Diffusion of …

Racial Preference As A Moderator In The Match-Alliance Relationship: A Mixed-Methods Study Of Indian Immigrants, Sarika Agarwal M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Patient preferences are defined as a patient’s desire for specific behaviors or attributes of the therapist or therapy (Arnkoff et al., 2002). Psychotherapy patients may hold a preference for a same-race therapist due to their perception that the therapist is similar to themselves, which may positively affect the therapeutic alliance (Cabral & Smith, 2011). However, since previous research has found mixed results on the positive effects of racial matching in psychotherapy (Cheng et al., 2023), another possible angle to examine the effects of racial matching on the therapeutic alliance is by taking patient preference into account. While data is limited …

Goodtimer For Good Behavior: A Nonconcurrent Multiple Baseline Examination Of A Behavioral Device Intervention To Reduce Child Misbehaviors, Morgan Weinstein

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) effectively decreases disruptive behavior in children (Daley et al., 2014). Nonetheless, many parents perceive BPT to be challenging and demanding, leading to reports of high treatment dropout rates (Chacko et al., 2016.) To address this, the present study evaluated the effectiveness of Goodtimer, a behavioral health device utilizing contingency management, an element of BPT, to mitigate child disruptive behaviors. The Goodtimer is designed to make administering a contingency management system easier for parents. Employing a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design, the study assessed six families with children aged 3-9 years. Most parents who used the Goodtimer reported …

Examining Dbt Clinicians’ Perspectives Involving Parents Of Emerging Adults In Treatment: A Qualitative Study, Emma Bernstein M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Emerging adults (ages 18-29) are at a heightened risk for developing mental illnesses, including mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and dying by suicide. Further, some emerging adults are considered to have “failed to launch” from their parents’ homes, leading to a postponement to full-fledged adulthood. While parents often play a significant role in their emerging adults’ lives, there is limited research on evidence-based treatment for emerging adults that systematically incorporate parents. Given the strong research support for Dialectical Behavior Therapy for Adolescents (DBT-A) that includes parent involvement, it is sensible to consider applying developmentally tailored adaptations to additional populations and understand …

Family Secrets: A Qualitative Analysis Of The Self After Dna Revelation, Joanna Rybnick M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

How much do we know about our families? There is limited research on the influx of family secrets revealed through genetic ancestry (genealogical/DNA) testing, a method utilized to learn about genealogy and family history that has become increasingly popular (Jorde & Bamshad, 2020). The present study stems from available research and archival stories and allows for a deeper understanding of how family secrets may present themselves in therapy. Previous research has focused on the content of secrets, categorizing themes within secrets, and the various functions of secret-keeping within family dynamics (Vangelisti, Caughlin, & Timmerman, 2001; Vangelisti & Caughlin, 1997). Additionally, …

Show And Tell… Ing What?: Correlation And Moderation Analyses Of Public Displays Of Affection And Romantic Relationship Satisfaction, Communication, And Adult Attachment Styles, Samantha Brooks M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Public Displays of Affection (PDA) amongst romantic couples are clearly shown in everyday life, though paradoxically, they are largely unexplored and therefore poorly understood. Not only is it unknown how PDA relates to other well-studied components of romantic relationships, but it is also unclear who engages in PDA. The present study investigated the relationship between public displays of affection and previously examined, fundamental components of romantic relationships including relationship satisfaction and attachment and communication styles. It then investigated the moderating effects of relationship satisfaction on respective communication and attachment styles and PDA. Sample size was 105 participants (N= 105). Students …

Choosing Schools In Crown Heights, Brooklyn: An Autoethnographic Narrative Study Of Middle-Class Gentry Parents, Trisha Nelson-Gill

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

This study explored how the cultural context of school choice in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, intersects with race, migration, identity, and the ongoing impact of gentrification. Through a combination of narrative interviews and autoethnographic reflection, the research examined how parents, particularly those from middle-class backgrounds, make educational decisions within a rapidly changing urban landscape. Findings revealed that while many families value racial and economic diversity in theory, decisions are often shaped by fears of academic underperformance, social exclusion, and neighborhood displacement. Some participants reflected an immigrant lens rooted in survival, stability, and cultural preservation, while others articulated tensions between ideals of …

A Literature Review Of Behavioral Outcome Measurement And Reporting Methods In Contemporary Diversity Training Research, Jesse Basson

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Diversity Training (DT) has become increasingly popular within organizational and academic settings as sociopolitical issues such as race relations, gender discrimination, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ populations continue to be examined in the United States. Research on the impacts of DT on participant learning has produced mixed findings, provoking questions regarding overall effectiveness and outcome measurement in DT. Training evaluation research has previously defined learning into three separate categories; Affective learning, cognitive learning, and behavioral learning (Kraiger et al., 1993), and behavioral learning outcomes in DT have been the least investigated of the three (Kulik & Roberson, 2008a). This critical literature …

An Exploratory Study On The Usability Of Distance Learning Technology In The U.S. Army Recruiting And Retention Command, Rony Arizandieta Rodas

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

This exploratory study investigates how integrating distance learning technologies within the U.S. Army impacts enlisted soldiers in terms of implementation, usability, and long-term career mobility. With internet-based education, active-duty enlisted personnel can pursue academic degrees from accredited military-affiliated institutions while simultaneously fulfilling operational duties, deployments, and daily training. The U.S. Army Recruiting Command has capitalized on this advancement by framing online education and digital accessibility as core components of its enlistment strategy. This approach is particularly relevant given that a significant proportion of new recruits originate from rural and economically disadvantaged areas, where access to higher education is often limited, …

Attachment And Delusional Ideation: A Systematic Review And Proposed Model Of The Association Between Attachment Insecurity And Delusion Symptoms, Ryan Sparks M.S.

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

Early repeated child-parent experiences impact the emergence of children’s reality testing by providing them with secure, trusting relationships with reality-oriented caregivers in which beliefs can be evaluated and refined. These relationships facilitate open and reciprocal communication about thoughts and feelings. Caregivers facilitate the development of children’s reflective capacities by helping them connect their inner experiences to their behavior. This process encourages them to assess whether their thoughts and feelings accurately reflect reality by remaining attuned to the perceptions of reality that are shared with others. Given the centrality of early caregiving experiences to one’s development of reality testing, attachment theory …

Effects Of Selected Language-Related Factors On Reading Performance And Growth In Grades 4-5: An Hypothesis-Generating, Growth Mixture Modeling Study, Robyn Mennella

Selected Full Text Dissertations, 2011-

As U.S. society becomes increasingly culturally and linguistically diverse, public schools face challenges in developing more effective approaches to reading instruction, especially for students who are learning English as a new language. This dissertation investigated the impact of selected language-related factors on the reading performance and growth trajectories of 370 students in Grades 4 and 5, obtained through six nationally-normed i-Ready reading assessments in a suburban New York State public school district. Controlling for gender, socioeconomic status, and having an individualized education program, this study examined three key factors: English language proficiency, participation in two-way dual language instruction, and primary …

Solution-Focused, Strengths-Based Practice: An Integrated And Future-Orientated Approach To Resistance In Child Protection And Welfare Service Users?, Susan Flynn Dr

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

This article presents a theoretical exposition of an integrated solution-focused, strengths-based perspective. It does so through a thematic review of literature. The proposition is that solution-focused, strengths-based techniques can offer practitioners useful modes of working with resistance in child protection and welfare service users. The issue of working well with service users who present as resistant to the work, is complex and challenging in child protection and welfare practice. Practitioners must strive for rigorous, humane and compassionate practice, which never distracts from or compromises child safety. A thematic review of literature on solution-focused, strengths-based practice is presented. Therein, relevant theoretical …

Child Protection And Disability: An Anti-Oppressive Reading, Susan Flynn Dr

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

Existing research alludes to complex inequalities within child protection systems for disabled children and disabled parents. An established risk of maltreatment that is higher for disabled children than for majority population peers converges with intersecting inequalities in the child protection arena. These include discrepancies around professional responses and service outcomes. Practice shortcomings, under-resourcing, practical impasses and knowledge deficits are also an enduring concern. Further, inequalities in child protection service outcomes and involvement for intellectually disabled parents are well documented. Thus, child protection and welfare casework with disabled children and disabled parents is fraught with complexities. This is due to the …

Social Care Worker: The Shaping Of An Emerging Title., Martin Power

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

The inclusion of the title social care worker in the Health and Social Care Professionals Act (2005) was a crucial development in the journey toward the professionalisation of social care work. With the two year grand-parenting window for entry to the register closed at the end of November 2025, the regulation of social care work has now begun. While this will mean that a definitive number rather than estimates of the number of social care workers in Ireland will be available, ambiguities remain. For example, in spite of the passing of two decades since the inclusion of social care worker …

Ireland’S Best Kept Secret: The Unique Role Of Home Management Advisors In Supporting Families In The Community, Sonya Coffey, Amanda Mccloat, Elaine Mooney

Irish Journal of Applied Social Studies

In Ireland, early intervention family support models are the focus of researchers and policy makers. One such model, the Home Management Advisory (HMA) service, provided in the main by home economists, delivers education, support and advice to families on all aspects of home management. A qualitative examination of the role of home management advisors, underpinned by a strengths-based approach, was conducted through in depth semi-structured interviews with past and present advisors. The study aimed to gain insights into their experiences in delivering community-based family support. The study found service provision is limited to a small geographical area in the West …

Sickle Cell Disease Nursing Education: A Mixed Methods Program Evaluation, Lauren Brooke Clemons

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common disorder of the hemoglobin and affects more than 100,000 people in the United States and millions worldwide. In response to a drastic lack of available education a group of SCD experts developed the Sickle Cell Boot Camp to Promote Nursing Excellence Train the Trainer. This initiative provided the first opportunity for nurses worldwide to gain knowledge and skills curated by the leading experts in a safe and interactive environment. By adapting the program to a train the trainer modality, education materials are provided to the attendees, and they are encouraged …

Integrative Approaches In Colorectal Cancer: Prognostic Biomarkers And Ai-Driven Hypothesis Generation For Early Diagnosis And Drug Resistance, Heliang Yin

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with early diagnosis being critical for improving patient outcomes. This study addresses two key aspects of CRC research: understanding its etiology and prognostic biomarkers and exploring the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating hypotheses for early diagnosis. In the first project, we analyzed prognostic biomarkers in CRC, revealing a significant negative correlation between TP53 and CD56 mutations, which have opposing effects on patient survival. TP53, a tumor suppressor gene, is frequently mutated in CRC, while CD56, a glycoprotein involved in cell adhesion, may act as a cancer enhancer. …