Digital Commons Network^™

Building Adolescent Wellness Through Fitness, Serena Mora

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Neurodivergent (ND) adolescents are less physically active than their typically developing (TD) peers. Challenges associated with ND include low self-confidence, high anxiety, impaired social skills, or unwillingness to try new things, which can impact engagement. Physical activity (PA) has been shown to reduce many of these difficulties, having a positive impact on TD peers. (Soga et al., 2015). Current programs available for adolescents that focus on PA are competitive and can increase anxiety. The prevalence of ND conditions continues to rise, so it is crucial to support the social-emotional wellness of ND adolescents. Use of PA can improve independence and …

Does Poverty Increase Crime?, John Weeks

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

This study examined whether a correlation exists among crime statistics between communities based on median income, funding levels, and number of police officers. The data was collected from research on 12 communities throughout New Jersey, a state with varying average incomes. The communities were chosen at random. Four communities had an average household annual income of more than $100,000. Four other communities had an average household income between $99,999 and the poverty line. The last four had an average household income below the poverty line. Recognizing possible correlations among these variables can lead to efforts identifying appropriate funding levels, better …

The Genetic Role Of Pcsk 1, Lisbeth Aquino

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/Kexin type 1 (PCSK 1) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder associated with severe digestive issues, delayed puberty, and obesity. The cause of this genetic mutation occurs when a person inherits two copies of an autosomal recessive gene. Recessive traits are more common in families who marry close relatives. When the PCSK 1 gene is negatively impacted, it can impair the enzyme function, worsening the disease. As the gene is being mutated, it can create other mutations such as N309K, RCV001374497-rs143209024, and c.1095 + 1G > A. The N309K gene affects the active site of an enzyme that causes …

Post-Acute Functional Interventions Impact: Sci, Caitlyn Nicholson

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

This project was a retrospective approach using mixed methods to determine what occupations are being addressed during the residential programs of Empower for those with a spinal cord injury (SCI), and the impact they have on engagement and quality of life (QOL) rating.

Empower is a community-based program that takes place for a few weeks over the summer in different parts of the U.S., with the vision, “A world in which all people living with spinal cord injuries have the freedom to thrive.” As a population, individuals with an SCI experience a life changing event, impacting their function and participation …

Eating Disorders & Restrictive Masculinity, Madalyn Lyons, Jadyn Torres

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Eating disorders, which affect individuals globally, specifically young women, are driven by genetic, environmental and social factors, leading to mental and physical health consequences. In a sample of n=724 young adult cisgender females, a multivariable logistic regression model was conducted for eating disorder on restrictive masculinity scale while controlling for sexual and gender identity, race/ethnicity, age, social status, student status, and employment status. 39.8% of females screened positive for an eating disorder. Adjusting for all else, there was a 2% (95%CI: 1%, 4%) increased odds of eating disorder with each additional unit in the restrictive masculinity scale. Cisgender females with …

Discrimination And Its Effect On Sleep Quality, Kaitlyn Maggiore

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Work-to-family conflict (WFC) is described as the incompatible demands of one’s career and home life. This study sought to understand the impact of perceptions of race, gender and age discrimination on correctional employees’ experience of WFC and sleep quality. It is hypothesized that discrimination in the workplace contributes to poor sleep quality through the mediated effect of WFC. Diversification in the corrections workforce has increased discrimination against women, BIPOC and older adults. This has an impact on WFC and can be linked to negative health outcomes such as poor sleep quality. A cross-sectional survey, contextualized to the corrections workforce was …

Multi-Modal Education And Pediatric Power Mobility, Nicole La Rochelle

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Caregivers of children with mobility impairments desire quick and efficient ways to access educational materials. There is a lack of research surrounding receptivity to the provision of pediatric power mobility educational materials despite evidence of its benefits. This qualitative research study aimed to capture the perspectives of caregivers who are provided education regarding their child’s mobility options. Participants involved in the study are caregivers of children experiencing mobility impairments. They participated in semi-structured interviews to help the investigator understand the lived experience of mobility options for children ages 12-36 months. Periodic unstructured interviews to collect information on the lived experiences …

Feeding The Incarcerated, Morgan Hoopes, Anyka Recio, Natalie Quinilla

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

The project is a basic outline of how the mental health of prisoners and the nutritional value of prison food is impacted by budget constraints. Nutritional value and quality of the food provided to incarcerated individuals impacts them physically and mentally. Research shows that budget constraints impact the quality and nutritional value of the food. This project focused on necessary improvements to the food quality while keeping the budget low and cost-effective. The outcome of this project is to make a difference with the nutrition and budget of the food being supplied for incarcerated individuals.

A Path To Wellness & Connection For Adolescents, Shauna Bienvenue

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Adolescents face unique emotional and social challenges that increase their susceptibility to social anxiety. Traditional talk therapy often fails to engage them, highlighting the need for alternative approaches suited to their developmental stage. Creative expression—through drawing, painting, and digital art—provide a safe, nonverbal outlet for self-exploration, allowing adolescents to externalize fears and self-conscious thoughts. This process promotes emotional regulation, enhanced coping skills, boosted self-confidence, and reduces social anxiety symptoms.

This presentation summarized research on the effectiveness of creative expression in adolescent mental health counseling. It highlighted how expressive arts enhanced self-expression, reduced anxiety, and strengthened interpersonal connections, demonstrating their value …

Restrictive Masculinity And Health Checks, Madison Morais

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

General health checks aid in detection and prevention of long-term illness for the individual and their community. Men inadequately seek healthcare compared to women, a scenario further influenced by possessing views of restrictive masculinity. Stratified by sex, multivariable logistic regressions of not meeting annual checkup guidelines and restrictive masculinity scale were computed controlling for sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, age, social status, student status, employment, and insurance status. Adjusting for all else, with each additional unit in restrictive masculinity scale, females had 1.05 (95%CI 1.02, 1.08) and males had 1.05 (95%CI: 1.01, 1.09) times the odds of not meeting annual checkup guidelines. …

Asexuality And Anxiety, Andrea Avila

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Current literature suggests that asexual individuals have higher rates of anxiety, depression, and other mental poor mental health outcomes compared to allosexuals, regardless of sexual and/or gender minority (SGM) identity. However, few studies exist that examine the experiences of asexual individuals. SGM adults were recruited via Reddit to participate in a digital survey hosted on Qualtrics between February-March 2022. Multivariable logistic regression assessed the relationship between anxiety and gender minority status, sex assigned at birth, and being asexual, adjusting demographic variables. In fully adjusted models, gender minorities had significantly increased odds of having anxiety (OR[95% CI] = 1.44 [1.13, 1.84]) …

Neighborhood Safety In Childhood And Anxiety In Adulthood, Ava Rose Esposito, Jenna Mcneil, Chris Botolino, Jonah Phang

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Childhood brain development can be disturbed by traumatic events. A crucial factor in one’s childhood is their surroundings, which includes the neighborhood in which they grew up. The purpose of this study was to examine if there is a correlation between feeling safe in neighborhoods as a child and adulthood anxiety. The Rhode Island Young Adult Survey, a digital cross-sectional quantitative survey was conducted in 2022 and used to evaluate the behavior and mental health of 18–25-year-olds that have lived in RI for at least part of the year. The sample size of this survey is 1,022 participants. The hypothesis …

Association Of Copd And Depression In Veterans, Zachary Gabbert

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

Many veterans are exposed to combat and other forms of trauma. There is research to suggest an association between trauma and chronic disease. Research also indicates an association between veterans’ mental health diagnoses and various physical health domains including pulmonary diseases such as COPD. The study was an analysis of the association between depressive disorders and COPD prevalence between veterans and non-veterans using syndemic theory. Analysis was conducted on data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a national database that collects cross sectional survey data concerning health risk factors, chronic health conditions, access to healthcare, and preventive service.

Living Environment And Mental Health, Jaqueline Daponte, Jacqueline Campuzano, Marissa Grenier, Molly Herold, Amalia Pereira

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

The research topic aimed to find the association between living situations and mental health. The sample included young adults in Rhode Island aged 18 to 25 who identified if they were living with roommates, family members, parents, or alone. The importance of researching this topic is to have a deeper understanding of the impact that living situations can have on one's mental health. It is also crucial for guiding individuals in creating better living conditions and providing support for those in need. The research used a digital cross-sectional quantitative survey that was conducted in 2020, 2022, and 2024 that surveyed …

Vaping And Anxiety In Young Adults, Kylie Coleman, Fran Ligorria, Julia Ulcena, Luisa Mazo

Student Research Design & Innovation Symposium

The purpose of this study was to observe and examine the association between vaping and anxiety in young adults living in Rhode Island. With an increase in vaping prevalence in young adults, as well as anxiety rates on the rise, it is worthwhile to study this potential correlation and examine its psychological and physiological impacts. To investigate this relationship, researchers analyzed the results of a digital, cross-sectional, quantitative survey on the behavioral and mental health of 1,022 young adults, ages 18 to 25, which was conducted in 2022. Findings indicate that initially, there was a significant relationship between vaping and …

Lbsci 702: Information Sources And Service: General, Nafiz Z. Shuva

Open Educational Resources

No abstract provided.

University Of Richmond Magazine - Spring 2025

University of Richmond Magazine

The University of Richmond's Alumni Magazine was first published as The Alumni Bulletin in 1936 and continues to this day as the University of Richmond Magazine.

The Center Cannot Hold: Icc Sanctions, Rogue Turns, And The Unmaking Of Legal Order, Devika Hovell

Fordham International Law Journal

No abstract provided.

Teaching Agroecology Through Play: A Board Game On Companion Planting Using Agroecological Principles, Ashmita Das, Julie Capito-Hernandez, Estelí Jiménez-Soto

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

Board games themed around environmental topics are promising tools for promoting awareness of complex sustainability issues, as the materiality, sociality, and multidimensionality of gameplay can help overcome some of the inherent limitations of more traditional learning formats. To explore the potential relevance of board games for communicating about agrifood system topics in particular, we designed and tested a game called Companion: An Agroecological Adventure, in which players take on the role of community gardeners who must apply both social and ecological principles of agroecology to cultivate a thriving garden plot. In this paper, we present the results of a study …

Food Sovereignty Among Migrant Farmworkers: The Role Of Agrobiodiversity For Autonomy And Resistance In A Mexican Coffee Plantation, Estelí Jiménez-Soto, Sanya Cowal, April Lopez

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

Coffee agroecosystems represent the economic base for thousands of small growers and agricultural workers, as well as a significant proportion of many regional economies in Latin America. Every year, the production of coffee in this region attracts a great number of laborers and their families, particularly during the harvest season. Despite being essential workers in the food system, agricultural workers continue to be one of the most marginalized actors in the coffee production chain. Even with an environment of precarity, agricultural workers exercise their autonomy and food sovereignty—the process by which agricultural workers, in this case, define their food system …

Exploring The State Of Homelessness In Franklin And Licking County, Justice Ofosuhene Jr.

Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.

Western Reserve Independent Living Center: Leaders In Disability Advocacy For Eastern Ohio, Lillie Greiman, Luke Santore, Rayna Sage

Independent Living and Community Participation

Western Reserve Independent Living Center (WRILC) is a Center for Independent Living (CIL) that provides services that promote independence, advocacy, and leadership among the people with disabilities they serve. WRILC's approach is rooted in a deep commitment to empowering individuals through personalized support, peer connections, and skills development. RTC:Rural researchers explore WRILC's relationship-based community advocacy approach through the Rural Community Living Development project.

Dance Improvisation And Kinematics: Describing Spontaneous Motion Among Movers, Fallon Simone Doshi Brackley

Student Scholarship

No abstract provided.

Makaibree Marie Reese, Petitioner And Appellee, V. Kylan Reese, Kylan And Appellant.: Brief Of Appellee

Utah Appeals Court Briefs

Appeal from a final order denying a motion brought under U.R.C.P. 60(b), entered by the Third Judicial District Court of Utah, in and for Salt Lake County, the Honorable Laura Scott presiding

Old Republic National Title Insurance Company, Appellee, V. Cap Fund 783 Llc, Matt Baker, And Fox Trot United Llc, Appellants.: Appellee’S Response Brief

Utah Appeals Court Briefs

On Appeal from the Fourth Judicial District Court, Judge Derek Pullan

Computational Approaches To Understanding The Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Reactions In Ribonucleotide Reductase, Jiayun Zhong

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) is a fundamental chemical process where both an electron and a proton are transferred simultaneously or sequentially, playing a key role in various biological and chemical systems, including enzymatic reactions and energy conversion. This thesis investigates the PCET reactions in ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), a critical enzyme responsible for DNA synthesis and repair in all living organisms. While significant progress has been made in understanding RNR's PCET pathway, several gaps remain, particularly regarding the specific mechanisms and energetics of individual PCET steps, the role of conformational dynamics, and the influence of water molecules. Through quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical …

A Strategy To Address The Challenges Of Intergenerational Conflict In The Haitian Churches At The Southeastern Conference In Florida, Nicolas Louis

Doctor of Ministry Projects

Problem

Haitian churches in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) of Florida, are severely affected by intergenerational conflict, persisting between young people and adults who cannot get along. Churches affected by this misunderstanding are facing a loss of young people, particularly college-educated members and people with vocational skills. This conflict has touched entire congregations, decreasing growth numerically and financially. Between 2013 and 2018, there was a 60 percent decline in members with college degrees and vocational skills. This study analyzes this intergenerational conflict, which manifests in disagreements over leadership preferences and worship styles.

Method

To address this problem, I established a series …

The Economics Of Healthcare Fraud, Jetson Leder- Luis, Anup Malani

Coase-Sandor Institute for Law & Economics Research Paper Series

Healthcare fraud imposes a sizable cost on U.S. public healthcare budgets and distorts health care provision. We examine the economics of health care fraud and enforcement using theory and data and connect to a growing literature on the topic. We first offer a new economic definition of health care fraud that captures and connects the wide range of activities prosecuted as fraud. We define fraud as any divergence between the care an insurer says a patient qualifies for, the care a provider provides, and the care a provider bills for. Our definition clarifies the economic consequences of different categories of …

Stubhub For Courts? Technology, Markets, And New Solutions To Court Congestion, Ronen Avraham, William H. J. Hubbard

Coase-Sandor Institute for Law & Economics Research Paper Series

Rescheduling of court hearings is ubiquitous but virtually ignored by academic scholarship. This is so, despite its contributions to court congestion, a perennial problem for courts that has been the subject of repeated, and repeatedly unsuccessful, efforts at reform. In this Article, we aim to show that rescheduling merits scholarly attention, and by diagnosing why and how it contributes to court congestion and delay, we both explain why most efforts at reducing delay fail and identify new possibilities for speeding up dockets. We draw inspiration from online platforms such as StubHub and SpareFare, technologies that have facilitated rescheduling through easy-to-use …