Digital Commons Network^™

Radioactive Seed Localization For The Resection Of Nonpalpable Breast Lesions, Katherine Ward

All ETDs from UAB

Accurate localization of malignant tissues is critical in breast cancer treatment to ensure effective therapy while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. Radioactive seed localization, specifically using Iodine-125 (I-125), is a prominent method due to its precision and minimally invasive nature. However, this technique poses a risk of radiation exposure to adjacent healthy tissues. This study aims to quantify the radiation dose to healthy breast tissue from I-125 seed implantation by employing two distinct computational approaches: a hemisphere breast model in MATLAB and Monte Carlo simulations in Mathematica. The American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Task Group 43 (TG- …

An Examination Of Sleep Quality And Experimental Pain Sensitivity In People With Hiv And Insomnia, Caroline Kathryn Webb

All ETDs from UAB

Prior research has established a bidirectional relationship between sleep and pain, yet this relationship has been understudied in people living with HIV. The current study investigated the relationship between HIV status (H+/H-) and insomnia status (I+/I-) on sleep and quantitative sensory testing (QST) variables. The study was comprised of two research visits where participants were screened and completed the QST protocol. Participants completed the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep (DBAS), and actigraphy as subjective and objective measures of sleep. There were four groups: H-/I- (n=46), H-/I+ (n=37), H+/I- (n=14), and H+/I+ (n=39) (N=136). Results showed …

Exploring Environmental Health Awareness And Knowledge In 9th – 12th Grade Students: A Mixed Methods Approach, Crystal Stephens

All ETDs from UAB

EXPLORING ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS AND KNOWLEDGE IN 9TH – 12TH GRADE STUDENTS: A MIXED METHODS APPROACH CRYSTAL T. STEPHENS ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES ABSTRACT Safe environments provide accessibility and community protections preventing residents from exposure to contaminants or facing health risks. Unfortunately, environmental exposures such as air pollution and neighborhood-level concerns can adversely impact human health. Environmental justice communities are overburdened with increased adverse environmental exposures and subsequent health disparities. Adolescents may be more vulnerable to exposure risks and provide an opportunity to introduce environmental health education. With their power of peer association and determination, adolescents can influence the health and …

Clinical Trials Unit Newsletter - Issue 01, Clinical Trials Unit (Ctu)

Clinical Trials Unit (CTU) Archives

• What's inside this issue:
• AKU receives JCIA reaccreditation - Clinical Trials Unit rejoice
• Director’s Message
• Informative Snippets
• AKU Site Surpasses Target Sample Size in the D-LIVR Global Trial
• Clinical Trials Unit celebrates World Pharmacists Day
• WHO Delegation at the Clinical Trials Unit Keynote Address at RMI's Symposium
• Impact Report - Covid-19 Studies
• Impact Snapshot for the year 2024

Reimagining Coach Evaluations: High School Athletic Directors' Perspectives On Program Evaluation Practices, Ashley Gerome

Master of Education in Applied Human Development Graduate Projects

High school athletic programs increasingly face the challenge of ensuring coaches not only are technically proficient but also how well the coaches support their student-athletes’ personal growth, well-being, and development. As traditional, performance-focused evaluation models fall short in addressing these broader goals, there is a growing need for more effective, holistic approaches to coaching evaluation. This study explores how athletic leadership is evolving to meet that need, focusing on the shift from results-driven metrics to athlete-centered, developmental evaluation practices. Though interviews with seven athletic directors to understand how coaching experience, professional identity, and evaluation methods affect leadership and program growth. …

A Design For Teaching Strength And Conditioning In High School Physical Education: Curriculum Development, Kamren Mullican

Master of Education in Applied Human Development Graduate Projects

This project was developed out of an interest in providing an example of a flexible, evidence-based curriculum for teaching strength and conditioning in high school physical education. Rather than viewing the weight room as simply a place for exercise, the curriculum presented here positions strength and conditioning as a structured, safe, and standards-aligned instructional component of physical education. It is designed to be organized and adaptable across a variety of high school physical education settings.

The Impact Of Social Media Engagement On Fan Loyalty In Professional Sports, Duane Bartnicki

Master of Education in Applied Human Development Graduate Projects

Social media has become an essential tool for communication and interaction in the sports industry, transforming how teams connect with their fans. Platforms like X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram offer dynamic spaces for teams to share content, engage directly with followers, and build online communities. For professional sports organizations, the ability to foster engagement with fans is crucial. It not only enhances the fan experience but also plays a significant role in driving loyalty. It gives organizations an opportunity to understand the motivations, loyalty, and relationships of their fan base through insights gained from social media (Kaya and …

Effect Of Trade Openness On Food Security In Economic Community Of West African States Region, Yahaya Umar Isah, Ikubor, Ofili Jude, Bernard, O. A., Zakari Saheed S., Ayodeji, S.

DLSU Business & Economics Review

This study investigates the impact of trade openness on food security in the ECOWAS trade zone. The study relied on the system GMM approach to analyze the impact of trade openness on overall and disaggregated components of food security in the ECOWAS trade zone during the period 2014 and 2021. Annual time series data were sourced from the Food and Agriculture Organization, World Bank Metadata base, and World Integrated Trade Solution. Major findings from the study reveal that trade openness has a significant positive impact on overall food security indicators. However, trade openness has not significantly impacted food availability and …

Annual Report 2024-2025: Library Department, Darrell W. Krueger Library-Winona State University

Library Annual Reports

This is the 2024-2025 annual report for the Darrell W. Krueger Library at Winona State University Darrell W. Krueger Library. The Annual Report documents the work, services, and resources available and provided to Winona State University and the Winona community for the fiscal year of 2024-2025.

Learning And Belonging In A Museum-School Environmental Stewardship Partnership, Joanna K. Garner, Mel Kuhn, Andrea M. Rocchio, Grace Friedenreich

Center for Educational Partnerships Publications

Students in urban, low-income communities can lack access to environmental science outreach in natural settings. As a result, they may face barriers to applying course content to real-world contexts and developing an agentic, hopeful stance towards environmental stewardship. In this paper, we describe a partnership between a maritime museum and park, an urban school district, and ecology experts. The project aimed to increase students’ knowledge of aquatic ecosystems, develop awareness of stewardship-related actions and career pathways, and support a sense of belonging to the museum. Activities included classroom visits by experts, field trips to plant classroom-grown grasses in the museum’s …

Embodying Jesus' Mission: Trauma-Informed Pastoral Care, Melanie Cole

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this dissertation was to ascertain the need for trauma-informed training in pastoral preparation programs. To achieve this goal, the researcher examined the main components of Jesus’ mission manifesto as detailed by Luke in his gospel narrative. The researcher evaluated the main components of Jesus’ programmatic speech in Nazareth including, but not limited to, the key Isaianic reference Jesus reflects on and the people his mission was geared towards. Subsequently, the researcher conducted a contemporary literature review on trauma. The researcher defined trauma, assessed the impact of trauma and investigated the healing process for victims of trauma. The …

Overidentification Of Learning Disabilities Among African Immigrants English Language Learners, Ololade Khafayat Banire

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the over-identification of learning disabilities among African immigrant English Language Learners (ELLs) in U.S. schools, examining both the individual and systemic factors contributing to disproportionality. By reviewing existing literature, the study identified five major factors: assessment and diagnostic bias, teacher knowledge and beliefs, contextual and school-level factors, structural inequities, and evidence gaps in research, revealing that overidentification often arises from the intersection of these factors. The review also highlights evidence-based solutions, including culturally and linguistically responsive assessment, continuous teacher professional development, family and community engagement, structural and policy reforms, and improved research practices. While limited by the …

A Case Of “Double Positive” Goodpasture Syndrome, Nidhi Patel, Md, Qian Leng, Md

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Background: • Goodpasture Syndrome is a rare autoimmune vasculitis disorder that affects the glomerular capillaries, pulmonary capillaries, or both, with glomerular basement membrane (GBM)deposition of anti-GBM autoantibodies. • Initial presentationis generally characterized byrapidly progressive glomerulonephritisand diffuse alveolar hemorrhage • Early recognition and subsequent treatment are vital fof management of Goodpasture Case Presentation: • 59 F presenting to the ED with a month-long history of hemoptysis and shortness of breath • Had been living in her car and is a vague historian. Mentions previously traveling but would not specify where • Has had frequent nosebleeds and two new pruritic wounds on …

A Potentially Cat-Astrophic Missed Diagnosis: Systemic Autoimmune Disease Or Something More Sinister, Cameron Smith, Do, Mph, Amy Dechet

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Introduction: Disseminated bartonella infection has a mortality rate approaching 10%. Clinical presentation of bartonellosis can mimic systemic autoimmune disease. Traditional testing may not identify the organism, so a high degree of suspicion is warranted in patients with risk factors. Case Presentation: 32M with history of Tetralogy of Fallot with prosthetic pulmonary valve presented with fatigue x3 months. Reported severe splenomegaly, pancytopenia requiring transfusions, and renal failure requiring hemodialysis. Given concern for lupus-like syndrome, treated with steroids + cyclophosphamide. Persistent fevers despite broad antibiotics. Second opinion of renal biopsy: Postinfectious GN. Immunostains ruled out lupus-like disorder. Negative blood cultures, TEE, and …

Clarification Of Public Health Pathways Toward Clinical Careers: A Pilot Study Describing A Benchmark Analysis Project, Elizabeth A. Brown, Melissa Feliciano, Daniel Martinez

Health Behavior, Policy & Management Faculty Publications

Introduction: Undergraduate public health programs have adapted the required basic sciences based on medical and technological advances and the needs of the public health workforce. We aim to demonstrate how a benchmark analysis project was used to improve curriculum and develop a model where basic sciences in public health can be used to build pathways to clinical graduate programs like medicine, pharmacy, physician assistant, etc.

Methods: Authors conducted a benchmark analysis of Bachelor of Science in Public Health (BSPH) Degrees (or public health-related degrees) in the southern region of the United States (US) to explore required basic sciences. Authors searched …

Use Of Light Traps To Assess The Taxonomy And Seasonality Of Early Life Stages Of Fishes Recruiting To Upper Matagorda Bay In Texas, Polly Hajovsky, Joel Anderson, Damon Williford

Gulf and Caribbean Research

Detecting the ingress of larval and early juvenile fishes into estuaries is crucial for understanding the early life stages and population dynamics of species—specific recruitment seasonality. However, monitoring these early life stages presents challenges due to their small size, seasonal variability, spatial patchiness, and their use of structurally complex habitats. Although plankton nets have been widely used to sample larval fishes, light traps have been found to have more flexibility, durability, and cost—effective. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of light traps for sampling larval and early juvenile fishes in a Texas estuary. The objectives of this study were …

Exploring Occupational Therapy Students’ Coping Strategies And Styles, Ashley E. Stroud, Amanda J. Mohler, Amanda M. Carpenter

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This study aimed to determine occupational therapy students’ coping strategies and styles to manage stress. The final sample included 160 students, with 39 master of occupational therapy (MOT) students and 121 occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) students who were currently enrolled in an MOT or OTD program. This study used a cross-sectional, descriptive survey. The survey included both closed-ended and open-ended items to provide a greater insight into occupational therapy graduate students’ stressors, coping strategies, and coping styles. Results of the survey showed the most frequently reported coping strategies for both programs were emotional support, instrumental support, self-blame, and religion. The …

Assessing The Impact: Retrospective Analysis Of Department Initiatives On Students' Success In Standalone Occupational Therapy Anatomy Course, Rebecca Ozelie, Saba Elothman, Bridget Hahn

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Student success in anatomy courses is critical for entry-level occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) programs, yet many students struggle to master this foundational subject. Research on effective academic interventions to support anatomy learning in OTD programs is limited, leaving a gap in understanding the impact of supplemental resources. This study examined the effectiveness of targeted academic interventions, such as an anatomy bootcamp, peer-led tutoring, and the Anatomage Table for virtual dissection, in improving student performance in a standalone anatomy course. A retrospective cohort design compared two groups of students enrolled in the course during Fall 2022 (FA22; n=36) and Fall 2023 …

Disparities Between Reported And Actual Study Habits And Perceptions Among First Year Occupational Therapy Graduate Students, Melisa P. Kaye, Marcella Mccollum, Sydney Hanzalik

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Studying for exams forms a significant part of the occupational therapy graduate school experience. While successful completion of exams is a central focus for students, little time is devoted to explicitly teaching new graduate students how to most effectively study. Instead, when they enter their occupational therapy programs, students experience a steep learning curve, and often rely on previous habits or trial and error to discover the most efficacious study strategies. The purpose of this study was to examine the study behaviors, habits, and beliefs of new graduate students to gain insight into the prevalence of use of various study …

Effect Of An Elective On Preparation For Fieldwork In An Acute Care Setting, Abbey Glenn, Brandi Fulwider

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

The current study evaluated the effect of an eight-day elective course on preparedness for the acute care setting. The course was offered to Master of Science in occupational therapy students before their second Level II fieldwork experience and focused on developing necessary skills for success in acute care. Course content was based on feedback from previous students, fieldwork educators in acute care, and faculty experiences in that setting. Specifically, the course combined case-based and skills-based simulations to help students develop skills and to build confidence. Small group activities involving role-playing communication scenarios were also included, where students played the role …

Belonging And The Lived Experiences Of Underrepresented Occupational Therapy Students, Daniel Cezar Da Cruz, Angela Murphy, Zara Mahmood

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Belonging has been explored in research in higher education with a focus on student engagement or performance and the impact of psychological aspects on individuals' learning. Few studies focused on underrepresented occupational therapy students’ belonging. Our research aimed to explore the lived experience of occupational therapy students regarding belonging at university. This phenomenological study was conducted with six occupational therapy students from the United Kingdom who volunteered to participate in semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was carried out through Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA). Three themes were constructed: Theme 1: Representation and belonging - “I was the only non-white person in the …

Work Readiness Among Occupational Therapy Students In The Usa: Associations With Approaches To Studying, Adele Breen-Franklin, Colleen M. Maher, Tore Bonsaksen

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

Previous studies have looked at the association between study approaches and student grades with a focus on deep, strategic, and surface learning. This study used a cross-sectional design to examine the association between study approaches and students’ feelings of readiness to practice. Thirty-five students in master’s and clinical doctoral programs completed the Work Readiness Scale and the short 18-item version of the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students (ASSIST). Using a linear regression analysis, higher scores on the strategic study approach (β=0.38, p<0.05) and lower scores on the surface study approach (β=-0.44, p<0.05) were associated with higher scores on the Work Readiness Scale. Studying harder (i.e. spending more hours studying) was not related to feeling ready to practice. Rather, studying wisely, meaning using a strategic approach to studying and avoiding using a surface approach, was associated with students’ increased feeling of readiness to practice.

Prospector Orientation And Csr: The Moderating Role Of National Philanthropic Environments, Alexey V. Semenov, Arilova Randrianasolo

Funded Scholarship

Existing research often frames firms with a prospector orientation as integrating corporate social responsibility (CSR) to enhance reputation and competitiveness. However, this perspective typically relies on the resource-based view (RBV) and overlooks the institutional context that influences CSR. Addressing this gap, we examine how national philanthropic environment (NPE), a component of the normative institutional environment, moderates the relationship between prospector orientation and CSR. Drawing on institutional theory and RBV, we analyze cross-country, firm-level data from 262 companies across 10 countries. Using hierarchical linear modeling, we find that in countries with high NPE, prospector orientation is positively associated with CSR, whereas …

Effects Of Ethanol And Neuropeptide-Y Signaling On Neurogenic Markers In The Hippocampus, Cassidy Taylor Leibold

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

According to the National Survey of Drug Use and Health in 2023, 28.9 million people over the age of 12 in the United States meet criteria for an Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). AUDs result in a range of both social and behavioral consequences, caused by damage to the central nervous system. The hippocampus is a brain structure that undergoes cellular changes in the presence of ethanol, thus causing structural and functional damage. Impairments in neurogenesis, or the production of new neurons, due to ethanol exposure result in decreased plasticity and consequently memory impairments. The mechanisms of these ethanol-induced decreases in …

The Effects Of Differential Rearing On The Social Renewal Of Fentanyl Seeking, Bree A. Humburg

Theses and Dissertations--Psychology

The role of social influences regarding addiction-like behaviors have been shown to have both positive and negative impacts. Having a positive and wide supportive social network increases the longevity of abstinence in humans (Kelly et al., 2014; Mercer et al., 2021). Rodents that have access to enriching environments that include social peers self-administer less drug and drug seek less compared to rodents in isolation (Bardo et al., 2001; Garcia & Cain, 2021; Ranaldi et al., 2011). On the other hand, social factors can increase the likelihood of relapsing (de Wit & Sayette, 2018; Yates, 2023). In preclinical models, social peers …

Girl, You Crazy, Stefani T. Flanagan

Master's Projects

The main premise behind Girl, You Crazy is to inform others of what life is like as someone who experiences psychosis (specifically schizoaffective disorder), as well as show the warning signs that I believe people should be aware of. This text is a nonlinear narrative of my personal experience that explores themes of substance abuse, hallucinations, religion, interpersonal conflict, and family dynamics starting from 2019 through 2025, through the onset of symptoms to diagnosis of schizoaffective disorder. This work also entails some of my experiences as a gay Black woman who was raised in a religious family, bullied throughout my …

Teaching Methods That Promote Medical Student Attendance: A Scoping Review, Jenny Mills, Pat W. Whitworth, Jamie G. Shaffer, Jeff L. Jackson, Sarah E. Keil

Funded Scholarship

Background: Medical student class attendance, especially traditional lectures, is on the decline. As faculty explore a variety of pedagogical approaches, understanding how to encourage attendance and engagement is critical. The purpose of this scoping review is to explore the literature to better understand the teaching methods that promote attendance.

Methods: This scoping review was conducted as advised in the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Manual for Evidence Synthesis. Five databases were systematically searched for primary studies on teaching methods that motivated undergraduate medical students to attend or not attend in-person or online synchronous class sessions. A total of 1313 articles were …

Trust During Troubled Times: Evidence From Sierra Leone’S Ebola Epidemic, Colin Cannonier

Funded Scholarship

Existing literature provides evidence that crises can considerably impact public trust. However, research on these dynamics in lower-income and postconflict countries like Sierra Leone is limited. Using nationally representative survey data and district-level Ebola infection data, herein, we examine the relationship between the Ebola epidemic and various measures of government trust. Our analysis, which employs propensity score matching and other techniques, reveals a notable decline in trust among individuals exposed to the outbreak. Our estimates indicate that individual perceptions of trust in government and other government entities decreased by 11.6%– 33.6% following the Ebola epidemic. This relationship is driven by …

Influence Of Multi-Species Data On Gene-Disease Associations In Substance Use Disorder Using Random Walk With Restart Models, Erich J. Baker, Everest U. Castaneda, Sharon Moore, Jason A. Bubier, Stephen K. Grady, Michael A. Langston, Elissa J. Chessler

Funded Scholarship

A major challenge lies in discovering, emphasizing, and characterizing human gene-disease and gene-gene associations. The limitations of data on the role of human gene products in substance use disorder (SUD) makes it challenging to transition from genetic associations to actionable insights. The integration of data from multiple diverse sources, including information-dense studies in model organisms, has the potential to address this gap. We demonstrate a modified performance of the Random Walk with Restart algorithm when multi-species data is integrated in the heterogeneous network within the context of SUD. Additionally, our approach distinguishes among disparate pathways derived from the Kyoto Encyclopedia …

Rescued From Oblivion: Antoni Benaiges And Transgressive Pedagogy In El Maestro Que Prometió El Mar (Font, 2023), Parker Lawson

Funded Scholarship

Patricia Font’s historical drama, El maestro que prometió el mar (2023), focuses on the pedagogy of Antoni Benaiges (1903–1936), a Republican educator who served for two years at a school in rural Burgos prior to being assassinated just days after the Nationalist uprising in July 1936. Focused also on the efforts to recuperate the legacy of Benaiges, whose body was deposited in a mass grave and has never been identified, the film employs a dual timeline narrative, telling interconnected stories in the past and the present to shed light on pre-Civil War education and contemporary discourses and practices of historical …