Digital Commons Network^™

Resolving The Energy Efficiency Paradox: Leveraging Benefits For Saudi Arabia’S Building Sector, Fateh Belaïd, Mahelet G. Fikru

Economics Faculty Research & Creative Works

This article examines the economics of energy efficiency in Saudi Arabia's building sector, centering on the "energy efficiency paradox," the observed under adoption of cost-effective technologies despite their clear benefits—such as reducing energy use and associated emissions. We show that a mix of market barriers and behavioral biases—including split incentives, informational gaps, and the value-action gap—constrains adoption of energy-efficient solutions. Recent modeling suggests that improved air-conditioning labels could save up to 80 TWh of electricity annually, though rebound effects may erode some of these gains. Our analysis shows that tackling market failures is necessary but not enough. Strong building codes …

The Power Of Partnership: A Systematic Review Of Interorganizational Collaboration Among Victim Service Organizations, Mackenzie E. Allred

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Victim service organizations inhabit an organizational niche composed of other, adjacent organizations such as hospitals, shelters, police, and prosecutors. Effectively serving victims entails building and maintaining relationships with these adjacent organizations. Limited research has sought to discuss the role of interorganizational collaboration in the context of victim service organizations. I investigate this topic by conducting a systematic literature review on the existing research focused on interorganizational collaboration among victim service organizations. With data gathered from this review, I explore the nature and extent of interorganizational collaboration and its potential impact on victim service organizations. I close with recommendations for future …

Assessing The Effects Of Leaderboards On Motivation And Math Achievement Of 5th And 6th Grade Students, Michele Alfieri

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Traditional teacher-led instructional methods are increasingly disconnected with the learning preferences of students raised in digital environments. These learners often require information to be delivered more rapidly and engagingly, prompting educators to incorporate strategies such as gamification to maintain student motivation and interest. Gamification, which involves integrating game design elements into non-game settings, has been shown to enhance engagement. A common feature of gamification is the use of leaderboards, which are visual displays that show individual and peer performance rankings. While leaderboards can foster motivation through competition, their effect on student morale and achievement outcomes is mixed. The purpose of …

Interconnection Among Germanic Peoples In The Roman Late Republican And Early Imperial Eras: From Historical And Archaeological Sources, Krystian Fichat

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This thesis evaluates the cultural interactions between the Germanic peoples and neighboring societies during the Roman Late Republican and Early Imperial Eras. Roman authors traditionally portrayed the Germani as isolated barbarians and through ethnocentric and propagandistic writings, misrepresenting the Germanic people on a large scale. By combining an analysis of historical sources, such as Roman histories and ethnographies, the examination of connection through polytheistic religious practice in Western Europe and in Rome, archaeological evidence of Germanic trade and craft, and the study of settlements common to Celtic and Germanic peoples, this research demonstrates that the Germani were actively participating in …

Copyright In The Generative Ai Era: Reimagining Creativity And Fairness, Huijuan Peng, David Tan

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

This article examines the need for copyright reform in response to the transformative impact of generative artificial intelligence. It identifies key legal challenges, including the absence of clear criteria for authorship and the infringement risks associated with both inputs (training of large language models) and outputs (AI-generated content). The authors argue that two overarching themes—creativity and fairness—will drive the future development of copyright law. Through a comparative analysis of how three jurisdictions—the United States, China, and Singapore—have addressed these challenges, the article offers practical and forward-looking insights for navigating the complex copyright landscape of the generative AI era.

This article …

Imprisonment When An Offender Cannot Pay A Fine, Benjamin Joshua Ong

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

According to a common-law rule in place since the 1993 case of Low Meng Chay v Public Prosecutor [1993] 1 SLR(R) 46, if the court is minded to impose a fine but the offender will clearly be unable to pay a fine, the offender should be sentenced to imprisonment instead (as opposed to a fine coupled with a default imprisonment term). While one can understand why the courts may apply this practice, the practice obscures the crucial distinction between: (a) being sentenced to a fine, then imprisoned in default of payment (which, it is submitted, is the correct course of …

Recognition Through The Algorithm: How Emotional Identification Shapes The Circulation Of Classics On Booktok, Olivia Carolyn Cowles

University Honors Theses

This thesis explores how classic literature circulates within the virtual community known as BookTok. Rather than making any definitive claims, this study offers a preliminary look at how and why certain classics surface within a digital space. Using a mixed-methods approach that includes three Zeeschuimer data pulls paired with qualitative analysis of thirty-four unique top-performing videos. This thesis examines the recurring patterns regarding top performing content of classics. Early findings suggest that these posts tend to gain traction on BookTok due to recognition and relatability. The top texts retain their prominence not necessarily because of their canonical status, but because …

The Association Between Gestational Body Mass Index Change, Cesarean Section, And Other Pregnancy Outcomes: Research Protocol: Retrospective Cohort Analysis, Kirsten I. Black, Owen Streeter, Arianne Sweeting, Pejman Adily, Mark Lauer, Adrienne Gordon, Vincenzo Berghella, Belinda R. Bruce, Lauren Ferris, Bradley De Vries

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty Papers

Increasingly the value of gestational weight gain (GWG) as a useful measure to predict obstetric outcomes including cesarean section is being questioned. We will undertake a retrospective cohort study of recorded births in 2023 from 24 to 42 weeks' gestation for women aged from 16 to 49 years in the United States. Using multivariable Robust Poisson Regression, maternal body mass index (BMI) and BMI gain will be modelled on the primary outcome of cesarean delivery. The primary analysis will be restricted to nulliparous women if there is interaction between parity and BMI or BMI gain. A sample of 716,392 births …

The Role Of Social Media In Beauty Marketing: Insights From Kidfluencers, Brand Withdrawal, And Consumers’ Attitudes, Avery Giddings

Business/Business Administration

This thesis examines the evolving role of social media in beauty marketing by analyzing industry trends, ethical considerations, and consumer perceptions. The paper first outlines how social media has transformed digital marketing, enabling brands to merge advertising, community-building, and e-commerce. Two case studies highlight contrasting dynamics within this landscape: the rise of “kidfluencers,” which raises concerns about privacy and potential financial exploitation; and Lush Cosmetics’ decision to withdraw from major social media platforms, a move rooted in ethical branding but accompanied by economic challenges. To further investigate consumer attitudes, a survey of 150 U.S. participants assessed social media usage patterns, …

Ohio University Faculty Senate Minutes December 1, 2025, Angela Brock

Faculty Senate Minutes

No abstract provided.

The Road To Regulation: A Literature Review Of The Influences On The Updated Silica Standards, Skye M. Medcraft

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Silica is a hazardous compound that poses a risk to human health resulting from dust creating activities across various industries. Several agencies, including OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) and MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) have adopted regulatory oversight of silica exposure in the workplace. As more research has been conducted on silica exposure, the health effects are becoming better described, which has led to the creation and updating of exposure regulations to protect worker health. The objective of this literature study is to review the data presented to the Department of Labor and discuss how the factors that …

Influence Of Food Insecurity On Adolescent Mental Health: A Comprehensive Literature Review, Sarah Foss

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Food insecurity is a growing public health concern with significant implications for adolescent mental health. This literature review provides an overview of current research on the relationship between food insecurity and adolescents’ mental health in the United States. A literature review was completed to identify studies examining the association between food insecurity and anxiety, depression, or attention deficit disorder (ADD)/Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Evidence shows that the experience of food insecurity in adolescence is associated with a higher risk of developing or experiencing an exacerbation of anxiety, depression, or ADD/ ADHD. This review utilizes the socioecological model to explain …

A Literature Review: Back Injuries Affecting Certified Nursing Assistants In Nursing Facilities, Nesta Nsembene-Ntoutoume

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are at a higher risk of back injuries in healthcare, particularly in long-term care settings. This literature review assessed the primary causes of these injuries and the efficacy of current interventions, particularly Safe Patient Handling and Mobility (SPHM) programs. A total of 26 peer-reviewed articles were published between 2014 and 2025, including experimental simulations, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, quasi-experimental training interventions, and evaluations of SPHM programs. Across the literature, the primary contributors to back injuries included high physical workload, inadequate ergonomic design, limited access to assistive devices, and staff shortage.

Experimental and biomechanical studies have demonstrated …

Linking Training To Confidence: A Literature Review On Advancing Nutrition Environments In Child Care Programs, Jeanne M. Vanorsdal

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

This comprehensive literature review examined child care nutrition training interventions using the Health Belief Model (HBM) to understand how to increase providers’ ability to serve nutritious food. By analyzing HBM constructs such as perceived severity, benefits, and barriers, the review assessed how training influences provider abilities and identified barriers and facilitators to consistently offering healthy meals and snacks. Studies were 1) published in English; 2) research conducted in the United States; 3) population involved home-based or center-based child care providers caring for children from birth to age 5; 4) articles published from January 1, 2015, to October 5, 2025; 5) …

Infectious Disease Crisis Communication After The Covid-19 Pandemic, Macy Lloyd

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States has experienced a proliferation of mis- and disinformation, an increasing politicization of health and science, and growing distrust in government, science, and institutions. While these trends present challenges for normal public health communications, during a public health emergency, such as an infectious disease outbreak, these challenges are even more acute. To address challenges at the local level, health departments need plans, products, and tools that adapt health crisis communications to the current media environment and meet community members where they are across the trust continuum. To develop an infectious disease incident communication plan, …

Mapping The Mortality-To-Incidence Ratios Of Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Dementias (Adrds): Evidence From The South Carolina Alzheimer’S Disease Registry, Eric Mishio Bawa, Daniel A. Amoatika, Margaret C. Miller Ms, Ph.D., Bankole A. Olatosi Ph.D., Lorie Donelle Phd, Rn, Fcan, Sue E. Levkoff Scd, Msw, Sm, James W. Hardin Ph.D., Xiaoming Li Ph.D., Leonardo Bonilha, Daniela B. Friedman Ph.D., Swann Arp Adams Ph.D., Ms, Face

Publications

Introduction Mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIRs) are useful in assessing disease burdens and illustrating disparities. Unlike cancer, MIRs have not been applied to ADRDs. Therefore, we estimated and mapped the MIRs for ADRDs to show disparities in South Carolina. Methods Using data from the South Carolina Alzheimer’s Disease Registry (2017−2021), ADRD MIRs were calculated by demographic and geospatial characteristics. To account for the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, data from 2015 to 2019 were also examined. MIRs were calculated as age-adjusted mortality rates divided by age-adjusted incidence rates. Results Overall, Black people and rural individuals consistently experienced higher MIRs, with the COVID-19 …

Building Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Student Competencies For Telemental Health Treatment Through Simulation, Amy Dievendorf Dnp, Aprn, Fnp-Bc, Agacnp-Bc, Phyllis Raynor Phd, Aprn, Pmhnp-Bc, Beverly Baliko Phd, Rn, Pmhnp-Bc, Abbas Tavakoli Drph, Mph, Me

Publications

Depressive disorders are common mental health conditions that are often undiagnosed or undertreated. Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AGACNPs) are educated in the management of acute and critically ill patients but are often uncomfortable identifying and treating mental health conditions. Telehealth instruction is useful in mental healthcare and is required as part of the AGACNP’s efficient patient care competencies. This article reports findings from a mental health-focused telehealth instructional activity integrated into an existing AGACNP curriculum. This instructional activity was designed to introduce students to telehealth delivery and build AGACNP competencies using telehealth technology to assess patients with depressive mood …

User Evaluation Of A Virtual Patient For Philippine Medical Education, Ma. Mercedes T. Rodrigo, Samantha Castaneda, James Alvir Maclin V. Alaan, Paolo Santino P. Caoile

Department of Information Systems & Computer Science Faculty Publications

Caladrius is a virtual patient system designed for use in Philippine medical schools. It responds to the need for medical interview training, for greater variety in teaching-learning strategies, and for culturally appropriate technologies. It has two versions: a text-only version whose interface is similar to a chat interface, and an audio version that accepts speech input and responds with speech output. In a prior test of Caladrius, users requested improved audio response time and the inclusion of different patient personalities. A subsequent version of Caladrius was created to comply with these requests. As much of the lag was attributable to …

The Effect Of Exercise On Dynamic Balance And Walking Endurance In Patients With Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Connor Gibson

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects 2-3 million people worldwide, with relapsing remitting MS (RRMS) accounting for 75% of new cases. Exercise has been proposed to alleviate symptoms and enhance quality of life. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effect of exercise on dynamic balance and walking endurance in RRMS patients.

Methodology: A comprehensive PubMed search identified exercise interventions that specifically measured walking endurance via the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and dynamic balance through the timed up-and-go (TUG) test. Mean and standard deviation values at baseline and post-intervention were extracted for analysis. For subgroup comparisons, interventions were classified as either lower …

Detecting Concealed Autobiographical Information Using Feedback And Recognition P300 Erps. Exploring The Impacts Of Changed Feedback Proportions And Social Pressure In The Fcit, Cerys Parkinson-Johns, Grace Shillito, Callum Starr, Rosemary Wilmshurst

The Plymouth Student Scientist

The feedback concealed information test (fCIT) incorporates feedback on memory concealment performance within the classical CIT. Providing feedback facilitates the analysis of feedback related ERPs in addition to initial recognition related ERPs within each trial. Combining multiple ERPs aims to improve the reliability and efficiency of the test. The present study investigated the efficiency of combining recognition and feedback related P300 ERPs in detecting concealed birthdates in a personal item fCIT. Feedback proportions were altered to improve believability in feedback. Detection efficiencies using combined P300 amplitudes within this altered paradigm and the impacts of social pressures on feedback P300s were …

What Environmental Circumstances Generate Hazardous Wave Overtopping Conditions For Infrastructure Disruption: Dawlish (United Kingdom) Case Study, Zbigniew Tomasz Zielonka

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Coastal infrastructure faces increasing threats from wave overtopping due to climate change, rising sea levels, and intensifying storms. This research investigates the environmental conditions that drive hazardous wave overtopping using Dawlish, a vulnerable section of the UK’s railway, as a case study. Understanding these conditions is essential for improving knowledge, developing effective mitigation strategies, and enhancing the resilience of shoreline defences against future challenges. Using one-year observations from WireWall instruments, offshore wave buoy, and meteorological data, the research applies a Random Forest model to assess the influence of metocean conditions on overtopping. The results indicate that wave height, tidal level, …

Assessing Overtopping Hazard To The Dawlish Railway Line: Integrating Wave Propagation Models For Coastal Metocean Condition Analysis, Matthew R. Owen

The Plymouth Student Scientist

With rising sea levels and increasingly frequent and intense storms due to climate change, coastal communities and structures are at an increasing risk of overtopping occurring. This study investigates the coastal metocean conditions responsible for overtopping at coastal defences, using Delft3D to model these processes with Dawlish as the case study site. Wave propagation models were employed to simulate metocean conditions from December 2021 to March 2022 to compare inshore wave conditions, alongside water level and wind parameters, with observed overtopping data from the WireWall system installed on top of the seawall, next to the railway line. The results indicate …

Dna Methylation Markers Of Insulin Resistance Surrogate Measures In The Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities (Aric) Study, Jeewoen Shin, Jan Bressler, Megan L Grove, Michael Brown, Elizabeth Selvin, James S Pankow, Myriam Fornage, Alanna C Morrison, Chloé Sarnowski

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Insulin resistance (IR) is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Associations between DNA methylation (DNAm) and IR have been less studied in African ancestry (AA) populations than those of European ancestry (EA). We aimed to identify associations between whole blood DNAm and IR in up to 1,811 AA and 964 EA participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. We quantified IR using three surrogate measures: the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), and the triglyceride glucose-body mass index (TyG-BMI). We used ancestry-stratified linear regression models to conduct epigenome-wide association …

Voices Of Resistance: Multilingual Identity Formation Through Translanguaging In Dual Language Bilingual Education, Fernando W. Milmo

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored how students navigated their evolving multicultural and multilingual identities in a setting with varying emphases on English and Spanish in the context of a fourth-grade dual language classroom where the teacher employed translanguaging pedagogy. This study is grounded in a theoretical framework that integrates decolonial, raciolinguistic, and translanguaging perspectives. The study examined students' perceptions of linguistic hierarchies and the ways they utilized their full linguistic repertoires to negotiate meaning, identity, and a sense of belonging. This study included pláticas as a culturally grounded narrative method, classroom observations, and interviews, and used a qualitative case study …

Deep Community Engagement: Faculty Responsiveness Perspectives At A Hispanic Serving Institution, Joseph Coppola

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, narrative inquiry investigates how experienced faculty members embody and enact responsive pedagogical practices at a community college Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Despite generational poverty and low degree attainment among Latine students, institutions face mounting pressure from deficit-mindedness and political mandates that threaten educational equity and resources for HSIs. This research sought to answer: How do community college faculty teaching at a Hispanic Serving Institution exhibit attributes of responsiveness?

The theoretical framework utilized the core tenets of Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy and integrated models from Gloria Ladson-Billings (culturally relevant pedagogy), Geneva Gay (culturally responsive teaching), Django Paris (culturally sustaining pedagogy), …

Educators’ Perceptions Of Mental Health Services For Middle School Students In A South Texas District, Norma Araceli Cabrera

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study is to examine teachers' and administrators' perceptions of school-based mental health services in one school district in South Texas. Within-case sampling was utilized to select the participants. The study examines educators' perceptions of the availability and effectiveness of mental health services for middle school students. Middle school is a period of intense social development, during which students strive to navigate peer relationships. Middle school children, aged 12-14, also undergo emotional development as they manage intense emotions, develop self-awareness, and learn to cope with stressors related to school, friends, and self-identity. Studies found that …

Navigating Cultural And Professional Identities: A Study Of Hispanic Women's Experiences In Aerospace Internship Programs, Jennifer Becerra

Theses and Dissertations

This phenomenological study investigated how Hispanic women navigated cultural identity and professional development during National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) internship programs, examining the role of culturally responsive mentoring in supporting retention. The research question was, How do Hispanic women in aerospace-internship programs navigate the intersection of cultural identity and professional development as they transition from academic science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs to aerospace careers, and what role does culturally responsive mentoring play in supporting their retention?

Using Anzaldúa’s nepantla concept, Duncan-Andrade’s critical-hope theory, and Ladson-Billings’ culturally relevant pedagogy as theoretical frameworks, in this study, I employed semistructured …

Collective Agency And Community Resilience Among Farmworkers In The Lower Rio Grande Valley, Angel Velazquez

Theses and Dissertations

This research assesses how farmworkers in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas use everyday practices to build resilience and adapt to changes in their lives. I apply two interconnected theories, White’s (2017, 2019) framework of collective agency and community resilience and Castro and Sen’s (2022) framework of everyday adaptation actions, to study these practices. I conducted 19 semi-structured interviews with Latino farmworkers and professionals who work with local farmworker organizations in the Rio Grande Valley (RGV) of Texas. Interview transcripts were analyzed to determine if and how Latino farmworkers in the RGV can work towards community resilience and implement …

Applicability Of Cementochronology To Estimate Season-Of-Death In Humans: Insights From Modern Documented Collections, Olga Ibarra-Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations

Dental cementum is characterized by lifelong deposition of alternating opaque annuli in fall/winter and translucent bands in spring/summer. This study aims to test the applicability of cementochronology to estimate season-of-death, by observing the properties of the last layer, with direct implications for forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology. The sample includes canine teeth from 146 adults (84 males, 62 females), age-at-death ranging from 20-97 years (mean=61.7 years, SD=18.6 years), from two contemporary skeletal collections. Of these individuals, 78 (53.4%) died in spring/summer and 68 (46.6%) died in fall/winter. Overall accuracy was low at 64.4% (94/146). Accuracy was higher for spring/summer deaths 100.0% …

College Ready Or Not? Exploring Undergraduate Perceptions Of Their High School College Preparation, Charles M. Morgan Iii

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine undergraduate students’ perceptions of their high school preparation for college. Rather than relying on institutional measures like test scores or course completion, the study focused on how students themselves described their readiness and the supports they received in high school. By highlighting student voice, the research aimed to reveal strengths and gaps in current approaches to preparing students for higher education.

The study was grounded in Educational Equity Theory (Darling-Hammond, 1997), which emphasizes that fairness in education requires supports tailored to students’ individual needs. A qualitative, phenomenological design was used. Undergraduate participants …