Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring Anxiety And Noticing Within Virtual Reality Nursing Simulation, Janet M. Reed

Sigma Foundation for Nursing Research Grant Reports

The overall objective of this pilot study was to explore how anxiety affects students’ noticing of key information within a virtual reality nursing simulation. The aims of this study were to 1) distinguish simulation anxiety into facilitating and debilitating components by using the Alpert and Haber (1960) Achievement Anxiety Test (AAT) for novel use in VR simulation for undergraduate nursing students; 2) Describe the relationship between debilitating and facilitating anxiety and noticing in VR simulation; and 3) Describe the psychometric properties for the AAT when used to describe anxiety in nursing simulation.

Trauma Informed Education Practices: A Guide For Implementation For High Schools, Angie Byzewski

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract

Trauma has an impact on all schools. Ignoring this fact can have serious implications for staff and students. School Counselors are Highly Educated and Licensed mental health professionals who understand how to safely implement a Trauma Informed Practices (TIP) model in schools. This training aims to improve safety and security among students and staff at the high school level. All schools in the Grand Forks Public School District implement Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) for students. Utilizing these practices can be made more effective by setting up a foundation of Trauma Informed Practices. Several sources have stated that a …

China’S Securitization Of Agricultural Imports: A Case Of Economic Statecraft Mixed Successes, Gustavo Ferreira, Bert Cramer

The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters

This article argues that the People’s Republic of China’s agricultural import diversification from 1995–2023 reflects a strategic effort to reduce reliance on US and allied suppliers while prioritizing national food security. Unlike prior studies focused on production or consumption, this analysis centers on trade patterns of high-value, strategically critical commodities. Using trade data and policy documents, it assesses shifts in supplier dependency, notably toward Brazil. This research offers policy and military practitioners insights into how food security intersects with economic statecraft, revealing vulnerabilities and strategic choices in global supply chains relevant to deterrence and resilience planning.

State Of California Cannabis Reporting, University Of Mississippi – National Center For Cannabis Research And Education

California

No abstract provided.

Framing Of Immigration In The News And Its Effects On Social Media Discourse On The Southcoast Of Massachusetts, Mariel Surprenant

Political Science Undergraduate Theses

Why do immigrant communities often express anti-immigrant sentiment? This study will focus on examining what political discourse about immigration dominates the news ecosystem of the Southcoast of Massachusetts, and what effect that discourse has. Immigration in the U.S. has become an increasingly politicized issue, dominating political discourse, motivating voter behavior, and shaping regional political identities. This study will use content analysis of Southcoast newspapers to examine how the local news frames immigration and discourse analysis to examine the opinions of everyday citizens revealed as by their social media comments on posts about immigration by the same local news sources. The …

The Effects Of Screen Time On Cognitive Development In Early Childhood, Ella Bagne

Psychology Student Publications

Spending time on devices (screen time) has become normal in day-to-day life, however our understanding of how this may affect development in early childhood is not yet fully understood. This paper explores the relationship between screen time and early childhood cognitive development, utilizing a definition of cognitive development as the growth of how children think, learn, communicate, and develop an understanding about the things around them. Research findings so far indicate that there may be both positives and negatives with screen time. For example, a child’s screen time may be positively and negatively correlated to vocabulary and language development specifically, …

The Effect Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy On Anxiety, Lauren Schauer

Psychology Student Publications

Anxiety is a very common mental health disorder that many individuals struggle with every day. Cognitive behavioral therapy is structured to make individuals aware of their thinking and behavioral patterns and how they can take control. This paper explores how effective cognitive behavioral therapy is on each type of the most common anxiety disorders.

Dynamics Of The Mind: Factors Of Physical Activity And The Affects That Come From Exercise, Samantha Gruendemann

Psychology Student Publications

This paper explores a deep dive into the benefits of physical activity and exercise. In this piece of literature we look at six studies and sources that give you the advantages of how physical activity affects psychology, the dynamics of movements, and the behavioral aspects of one’s mental health. As research continues to come out over the past decades, we see a positive correlation between health and physical activity (Penedo & Dahn, 2005). Studies still show to this day that moderate physical activity may decrease the risk of many diseases and disorders that you may be genetically adaptable to (Miller …

Is It Our Phones? Examining The Relationship Between Social Media, Mass Shooters And Dark Fandoms In America, Marilyn Gago

Psychology Student Publications

This paper explores the complex relationship between media consumption, online communities, and mass shootings in America. It examines the sensationalized portrayal of crime through social media and traditional news, and how they can contribute to dark online communities and the glorification of mass shooters.

Exercise And Its' Impact On Student's Mental Health, Braden Wolf

Psychology Student Publications

This paper examines how exercise positively impacts the mental health of college students, a group especially vulnerable to mental health challenges. It reviews empirical evidence showing that exercise improves self-efficacy, reduces negative emotions, and lowers suicide risk by enhancing confidence, sleep, academic success, and reducing depression, anxiety, and stress. While exercise is not a complete solution to mental health issues, it can significantly alleviate symptoms and prevent further distress.

The Negative Impact Sleep Loss Has On Mental Health, Kaden Sayler

Psychology Student Publications

Many teenagers struggle with chronic sleep deprivation due to busy schedules, social media, and late-night habits. Research shows that lack of sleep severely affects adolescents’ mental health, increasing risks of depression, anxiety, poor attention, and impaired brain development. This paper highlights how modern factors like screen time and “social jetlag” worsen the issue, warning that sleep deprivation is a hidden but serious threat to teens’ well-being.

Effects Of Exercise On Mental Health And Well-Being On College Students, Keira Kitzmann

Psychology Student Publications

This paper shows the effects of exercise on mental health and well-being on college students. College students’ mental health is an important issue because it greatly affects their academic success and performance. Overall, exercise can improve the well-being of college students and increase mental health.

How Do Childhood Experiences Influence Risk-Taking Behavior In Adolescence?, Sidney Zimmerman

Psychology Student Publications

This paper explores how positive and adverse childhood experiences influence adolescents’ risk-taking behaviors. It explains that positive experiences often lead to healthy, growth-promoting risks, while adverse experiences can increase impulsivity and unhealthy risk-taking. Overall, it emphasizes that early life experiences shape how young people approach challenges and make decisions during adolescence.

How Does Childhood Trauma Increase The Risk Of Developing Depression In Adulthood?, Ella Heydmann

Psychology Student Publications

Childhood trauma is a common but often overlooked experience that can leave lasting effects on psychological and biological development. Research shows that exposure to abuse or neglect in early life can alter the brain structure, stress-response systems, and emotional regulation, which can increase vulnerability to depression and anxiety in adulthood. Furthermore, evidence suggests that the impact of trauma may reach across generations through behavioral mechanisms. Despite these risks, resilience and protective factors, such as early intervention, can minimize long-term consequences and help promote recovery. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies to reduce the lasting effects of …

Screen Time On Child Development, Mariah Lovro

Psychology Student Publications

This paper focuses on the effects of screen time on childhood developments. It explores different types and durations of screen time and how different areas of child development are afffected.

Enhancing English Literacy Through Task-Based Learning In A Technology-Integrated Classroom, Yueh-Tzu Chiang

Journal of English and Applied Linguistics

This study explored the impact of task-based teaching in a technology-enhanced environment, following the blended ladder model (Gravel et al., 2014), on second language (L2) learners’ English reading and writing skills. The study aimed to promote reading habits through extensive reading (ER), improve language skills via technology-assisted platforms (e.g., ZUVIO and Classdojo), and reduce writing anxiety. Two classes of 40 students each were divided into higher proficiency (HP) and lower proficiency (LP) groups for an eight-week intervention. Both classes participated in two interventions: self-selected reading materials with reading journals and task-based learning involving grammar, sentence structure, and authentic writing tasks …

Ecolinguistic Analysis Of Princess Mononoke: Boosting Environmental Literacy, Aditya Alam Soeta Bangsa, George M. Jacobs, Ingrid A. Gavilán Tatin

Journal of English and Applied Linguistics

The Anthropocene is a term some scientists use for the current geological age, during which human activities profoundly and often negatively impact Earth’s systems, including environmental change. Despite widespread recognition of this global crisis, a gap persists between awareness and meaningful action, underscoring a critical deficit in environmental literacy. This study aims to address this gap by conducting an ecolinguistic analysis of Hayao Miyazaki’s (1997) film, Princess Mononoke. Stibbe’s (2020) Stories We Live By, particularly the story of ideology, was used to analyze the film and its five principal human characters, examining their attitudes and behavior, and connecting …

Beliefs And Practices Of Filipino Bilingual Senior High School Students On Language Learner Autonomy, Japhet E. Manzano, Zachi Einna R. Orquijo, Giovanni C. Duran

Journal of English and Applied Linguistics

The concept of learner autonomy (LA) has been investigated mostly from the perspective of language teachers, whereas students’ views regarding this notion have received less attention in recent decades. In line with this, the present study aimed to examine the beliefs and practices of Filipino bilingual senior high school students enrolled in the Humanities and Social Sciences (HumSS) and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strands. A total of 148 students from two Philippine public schools in Metro Manila participated in an adapted survey questionnaire containing Likert-scale items on beliefs, desirability, and feasibility of LA, along with an open-ended question …

Alcohol As Food Or Drug? A Comparative Review Of Islamic And Medical Evidence, M. Diaa El-Din H. Farag, Ahmed A. Rawwash, Emad Hussein Ahmed Fathy, Mohamed F.F Bayomy Et.Al.

Saudi Toxicology Journal

Background: This study conducts a comparative analysis of alcohol classification, health effects, and social consequences within Islamic teachings and modern medical science. Objective: To conduct a comparative analysis of Islamic teachings and modern medical approaches regarding alcohol classification, health effects, and social consequences. Methodology: Using a comparative review following PRISMA guidelines, 50 high-quality sources were selected from an initial 892 records for analysis. Results: The findings demonstrate a convergent classification: both paradigms definitively classify alcohol as a harmful substance rather than a food. Islamic law has prohibited alcohol for over 1400 years on the grounds of it impairs cognitive judgment …

Tests Without Borders: A Global Approach To Measuring Visualization Literacy, Olivia A. Guess

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Visualization literacy assessments shape how we understand people's ability to interpret data, yet most existing instruments embed Western datasets and assumptions that limit their relevance for global audiences. This thesis argues that because data is personal, assessments must also be culturally grounded. We introduce a unified framework for adapting the Mini-VLAT into 22 regionally responsive short-form assessments, each retaining the structure of the original test while incorporating datasets and scenarios tailored to specific regions around the world. To demonstrate how such adaptations can be customized and validated, we present a detailed case study of a Ghana-adapted Mini-VLAT, developed in collaboration …

Optimization Of Research Pipeline To Characterize The Effects Of Atp-Sensitive Potassium Channels Mutations On Native Skeletal Muscle Fibers And Evaluate Potential Drug Therapy, Yuezhou Chen

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

The ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel is a critical metabolic sensor in skeletal muscle, yet its definitive molecular composition and functional roles remain contested. In this study, I conclusively demonstrate that the Kir6.2/SUR2 complex forms sarcolemmal KATP channel in mouse fast-twitch muscle. Genetic knock-out (KO) of Kir6.2 (Kcnj11−/−) or SUR2 (Abcc9−/−) resulted in a similar phenotype with increased fatigue resistance and a pathological rise in unstimulated resting tension at high-frequency stimulation. In contrast, SUR1 (Abcc8−/−) KO was ineffective. Furthermore, a CRISPR/Cas9 knock-in mouse model of a human SUR2A truncation variant (KCGV/KCGV) recapitulated the abnormal force accumulation, demonstrating that even loss-of-function of …

Expansion Limits Of Meshed Split-Thickness Skin Grafts, Haomin Yu

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

Split-thickness skin grafts are widely used to treat chronic wounds. Procedure design requires surgeons to predict how much a patch of the patient's own skin expands when it is meshed with rows of slits and stretched over a larger wound area. Accurate prediction of graft expansion remains a challenge, with current models overestimating the actual expansion, leading to suboptimal outcomes. Inspired by the principles of mechanical metamaterials, we developed a model that distinguishes between the kinematic rearrangement of structural elements and their stretching, providing a more accurate prediction of skin graft expansion. Our model was validated against extensive data …

Functional Characterization Of Abcc8 Mutations Potentially Linked To The Transition From Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia To Diabetes, Hao Zhang

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channels, composed of the SUR1 and Kir6.2 subunits encoded by the ABCC8 and KCNJ11 genes, are critical regulators of membrane excitability and insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells. Gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in these genes cause neonatal diabetes mellitus through impaired insulin secretion and persistent hyperglycemia, whereas loss-of-function (LOF) mutations lead to congenital hyperinsulinism (CHI) with hypoglycemia due to β-cell hyperexcitability. I have addressed a paradoxical form of maturity-onset diabetes of the young (MODY) arising from KATP mutations, in which patients transition from CHI to glucose intolerance later in life. My experiments indicate that many KATP mutations associated with …

The Perception Of Therapists About Compassion Fatigue And Burnout After Working With Victims Of Domestic Violence, Bernadine Edwards

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

This qualitative study involved gaining a better understanding of the perceptions of therapists who work with domestic violence victims, and how the therapists’ work may contribute to the development of compassion fatigue and burnout in the treating therapists. The goal was to gather firsthand data regarding the lived experiences of therapists. This study involved conducting semi-structured interviews with six counselors, listening to lived experiences, reading transcriptions, taking and reading notes in a journal during and after interviews, and analyzing data. The social ecological theory guided the study. The research identified 11 key themes highlighting the significant stress associated with this …

Assessing Smooth Muscle Cell Death In Elastase-Treated Mouse Aortas, Bebel B. Trani

Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science Independent Study

No abstract provided.

Postoperative Anaemia: The Unseen Challenge In Cardiac Surgery, Matthew A. Warner, Jacob Raphael

Department of Anesthesiology Faculty Papers

Postoperative anaemia is an overlooked complication of cardiac surgery that is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Although small clinical trials suggest that postoperative treatment with i.v. iron improves haemoglobin recovery and reduces transfusion utilisation, appropriately powered randomised controlled trials are necessary to definitively evaluate the efficacy of treatment on clinical outcomes of importance to patients, clinicians, and healthcare systems. A comprehensive approach to perioperative anaemia management demands a renewed focus on both prevention and treatment to improve patient outcomes.

Sensory Processing Difficulties In Children And How It Affects Behaviors And Parental Stress, Brooklyn Hagberg

Psychology Student Publications

This paper looks at how Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) affects children and their families. It explores how struggles with processing everyday sensory information can lead to behaviors that are often misunderstood, as well as the stress this can place on parents. By increasing awareness of SPD and its effects, we can better support children, ease parental challenges, and help kids feel more comfortable and successful in their daily lives.

How Ptsd And Trauma Affect The Brain, Presley Faris

Psychology Student Publications

How PTSD and trauma affect our brain function and structure. Kids are affected when they have lived through trauma as well.

Does Sleep Duration Affect Mental Health, Aubrey Aaland

Psychology Student Publications

Sleep is a critical component of overall health, yet inadequate sleep has become increasingly common, particularly among young adults and college students. This paper explores the relationship between sleep duration and mental health, with specific attention to symptoms of anxiety, depression, and emotional instability. Not enough sleep can heavily impact an individual's mental health. This paper explores the negative effects of inadequate sleep on psychological well-being, focusing on the correlation between reduced sleep duration and increased symptoms of anxiety, depression, and emotional instability. Topics like the importance of sleep, the cycle of sleep and stress, and how it all affects …

100 Years: The Uniform System Of Accounts For The Lodging Industry (Usali) 12th Revised Edition, Agnes Defranco, Raymond S. Schmidgall

Journal of Hospitality Financial Management

No abstract provided.