Digital Commons Network^™

Chironomids Shed Light On Organic Matter Dynamics In Macroinvertebrate Communities In Prairie Pothole Lakes In West-Central Minnesota, Usa, Tracey M. Anderson, Sarah G. Winikoff, Michael L. Sorensen, Melissa L. Rudeen

Biology Publications

The Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) in North America is characterized by a high density of wetlands that can range from temporary habitats to small lakes. Much of the PPR has been converted to agriculture resulting in outright habitat loss, eutrophication, sedimentation, introduction of agrochemicals, and the introduction of invasive plants and animals. We compared two prairie pothole lakes, Cottonwood Lake and Page Lake, to assess the functional roles and trophic structure of the macroinvertebrate communities in this highly altered landscape. We collected macroinvertebrate samples from littoral and profundal regions of each lake with an Ekman grab sampler in winters of …

Measuring The Rapidly Increasing Use Of Artificial Intelligence In Legal Scholarship, Michael Conklin, Christopher Houston

St. Mary's Journal on Legal Malpractice & Ethics

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has had a profound impact on nearly every industry, including legal academia. As AI-driven tools like ChatGPT become more prevalent, they raise critical questions about authorship, academic integrity, and the evolving nature of legal writing. While AI offers promising benefits—such as improved efficiency in research, drafting, and analysis—it also presents ethical dilemmas related to originality, bias, and the potential homogenization of legal discourse.

One of the challenges in assessing AI’s influence on legal scholarship is the difficulty of identifying AI-generated content. Traditional plagiarism-detection methods are often inadequate, as AI does not merely copy …

Sustainable Agricultural Alternatives To Cope With Drought Effects In Semi-Arid Areas Of Southern Mozambique: Review And Strategies Proposal, Celso Mondlhane, Lawrence Munjonji, Íris Victorino, Carlos Huenchuleo, Paula Pimentel, Pablo Cornejo

All Grantees Publications

Drought, pests, soil fertility depletion, environmental challenges, and the limited use of agricultural inputs continue to plague food production in many developing countries such as Mozambique. As a response to these production constraints, sustainable strategies must be defined to cope with these problems. One strategy, largely applied worldwide, is the combination of the usage of plant growth-promoting microorganisms, conservation tillage, intercropping, and crop residue management. The above can help smallholder farmers to become more resilient, sustainable, and productive, in a framework where the limitations imposed by global climate change are being exacerbated. The impacts of these strategies are less known …

Preparation And Characterization Of Clay Soils For Applications In Cyanide Removal From Mining Wastewater, Raymond Kaboré, Yacouba Sanou, Rasmane Tiendrebéogo, Alassane Compaoré, Adama Konaté, Samuel Paré

Minerals, Mining and Materials Engineering

In Burkina Faso, waterresourcesin mining areas are polluted by cyanide, which is released into the environment through mining activities. To mitigate this pollution, two clays named Koro and Kaya were collected in Burkina Faso and characterized using analytical technics. This work aimed to find out a cheap technology based on local soils for water treatment. The objective of the work was to prepare and characterize two local clays for application in mining effluent treatment. Specific surface area and pore dimensions were analyzed using Brunauer, Emmett and Teller method. In addition, anion exchange capacities, chemical composition through X-ray fluorescence and chemical …

Photocatalytic Remediation Of Selected Emerging Organic Pollutants In Industrial Effluent Using Conducting Polymeric-Based Nanocomposites Photocatalysts -A Review, Joshua Akinropo Oyetade, Kolajo Oluwafemi, Vanessa N.K Hammond, Angela Boateng, Revocatus Lazaro Machunda, Askwar Hilonga

Minerals, Mining and Materials Engineering

Emerging organic pollutants in industrial effluents pose huge environmental and health challenges, with conventional effluent treatment methods often insufficient for effective abatement of these toxic pollutants. This is the rationale behind the need for the development of a novel class of photocatalysts known as conducting polymeric-based nanocomposites for proficient photocatalytic remediation of these pollutants. The pollutants of interest in this review are the pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs), pesticides and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with appreciable presence in industrial wastewater. The review comparatively reported various state-of-the-art engineering approaches for the fabrication of this class of nanocomposite photocatalysts with well-tailored properties …

Rsif CôTe D'Ivoire Country Report 2025 - English, Regional Scholarship And Innovation Fund (Rsif)

Rsif Country Progress Reports

Côte d’Ivoire is on a positive economic trajectory, with annual GDP growth at about 6%. Investing in human capital to develop a skilled workforce is one of the ways to sustain this impressive growth. Côte d’Ivoire is one of nine African countries investing in the Regional Scholarship and Innovation Fund (Rsif) of the Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET), since 2019. Its initial contribution of USD 1 million is used to train Ivorian PhD students in selected African host universities and collaborating international partner institutions. Through PASET-Rsif, Côte d’Ivoire will build strong institutions and future science …

The Economic Impact And Policy Implications Of Innovative Medical Technologies On The Canadian Healthcare System, Hamid Sadri

Peninsula Dental School Theses

Abstract - Hamid Sadri - The Economic Impact and Policy Implications of Innovative Medical Technologies on the Canadian Healthcare SystemDespite considerable per capita expenditure, the Canadian healthcare system faces a complex crisis characterised by strained operational capacity, substantial shortages of Health Human Resources (HHR), and suboptimal patient outcomes. This crisis arises from a decentralised and fragmented structure, further aggravated by isolated budget allocations and persistent underfunding of critical infrastructure and medical technologies. The outcomes of these issues include excessively prolonged wait times for essential procedures and diagnostics, limited access to primary and specialised care, and persistent health disparities that disproportionately …

The Economic Impact And Policy Implications Of Innovative Medical Technologies On The Canadian Healthcare System, Hamid Sadri

Peninsula Dental School Theses

Abstract - Hamid Sadri - The Economic Impact and Policy Implications of Innovative Medical Technologies on the Canadian Healthcare SystemDespite considerable per capita expenditure, the Canadian healthcare system faces a complex crisis characterised by strained operational capacity, substantial shortages of Health Human Resources (HHR), and suboptimal patient outcomes. This crisis arises from a decentralised and fragmented structure, further aggravated by isolated budget allocations and persistent underfunding of critical infrastructure and medical technologies. The outcomes of these issues include excessively prolonged wait times for essential procedures and diagnostics, limited access to primary and specialised care, and persistent health disparities that disproportionately …

The Potential For Diagnosing High Blood Pressure At The Dentist: An Examination Of Periodontal Disease And The Oral Microbiome In Raised Blood Pressure., Amazon Doble

Peninsula Dental School Theses

Background: Hypertension is increasingly linked to periodontitis. However, the nature and specific mechanistic relationship of this remains unclear, however may involve reduced oral and systemic nitric oxide (NO) availability. There remains limited research on the oral microbiome during hypertension that could support such a causative mechanism involving NO.Aims: This project aimed to examine links between periodontal disease, the oral microbiome, and raised blood pressure, while establishing a cardiovascular risk case-finding clinic with a GP referral pathway.Methods: The project comprised three studies: Study I established and identified cardiovascular risk case-finding in a dental environment (n=200). Study II evaluated clinical markers and …

A Multiethnic Approach Of Stakeholder Involvement To Set Priorities For Oral Health Research, Sumanth Kumbargere Nagraj

Peninsula Dental School Theses

Setting research priorities is a key component of an effective research system. Stakeholder involvement, both formal and informal, is crucial in this process. Only few studies focus on the challenges of engaging diverse populations, particularly those from different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, or how their values and priorities may align or differ.In Malaysia, a multiethnic and multilingual country, significant oral health disparities have been reported across ethnic groups. For example, the Malaysian National Oral Health Survey (2017) documented a higher prevalence of dental caries among Chinese children (30.7%), the highest oral cancer rates among Indians (46.2%), and the lowest prevalence …

Uncertainty In Decision-Making Within The Dental Context Of Malaysia’S Multi-Ethnic Population – A Mixed-Methods Study, Prashanti Eachempati

Peninsula Dental School Theses

Background:Uncertainty is an inherent part of healthcare, particularly in decision-making. Shared decision-making in many Asian contexts faces challenges due to language barriers, religious practices, hierarchical clinical norms, and collectivist approaches to decision-making. Under uncertain conditions, these challenges become even more complex and may be influenced by individuals’ tolerance of uncertainty. Understanding how both patients and dentists of multi-ethnolinguistic groups experience and respond to uncertainty is therefore essential to support context-sensitive, culturally responsive dental decision-making.Aim:To explore how multi-ethnic patients and dentists in Malaysia, with varying levels of uncertainty tolerance, perceive and respond to uncertainty in oral health decision-making, and how they …

Co-Constructing The Future Of Digital Intimacy, Chris Geeng, Lucy Qin, Allison Mcdonald, Amna Batool, Diana Freed, Oliver L. Haimson, Jevan Hutson, Elissa M. Redmiles, Zahra Stardust, Miranda Wei, Douglas Zytko

Articles

The Internet, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies have transformed the way humans can interact with each other and express romance, sex, and other forms of intimacy. Digital intimacy, including online dating, sexual/intimate content sharing, online sex work, and romantic chatbots, has grown ubiquitous. This can both be a source of great joy, such as when connecting remote partners and supporting sexual self-expression, and a source of harms, including but not limited to image-based sexual abuse, deepfakes, location privacy violations, and technology-enabled intimate partner violence. As new technologies continue to transform digital intimacy, this workshop aims to create a sex-positive …

Nursing Simulation For Pediatric Communication: An Integrative Literature Review, Jayla R. Call

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The aim of this thesis is to explore literature focused on enhancing nursing students' communication skills with pediatric patients through simulation. Effective communication is key to building rapport and trust, which are essential for improving patient outcomes. However, nursing students may experience anxiety when interacting with pediatric patients due to limited training in communication techniques. Simulation offers a valuable opportunity for students to practice and refine their skills in a risk-free environment, allowing them to build confidence and competence. An integrative literature review was conducted, utilizing three databases and PRISMA guidelines (Page et al., 2021) to gather relevant studies for …

South Dakota's Citizen Legislature: 100 Sessions Of Constancy And Change, Tonnis H. Venhuizen, David K. Wheeler

South Dakota Law Review

The 2025 session of the South Dakota State Legislature marks its 100th regular session, providing an opportunity to reflect on its history and celebrate its role as a citizen-focused, part-time, and accessible institution. Established in 1889, South Dakota’s statehood was shaped by a desire to end the perceived corruption of territorial governance and to create a system rooted in republican principles, limited spending, and agrarian values. The state’s early legislature emphasized fiscal restraint, citizen representation, and rural priorities. Over time, reforms modernized the institution, including changes to apportionment, term limits, and technology, enhancing transparency and public engagement. Women gained representation …

Have Recent Legislative Changes In South Dakota Made Using The Initiated Measure Process More Difficult?, Cory Heidelberger, Teagan Mcnary, Reynold F. Nesiba

South Dakota Law Review

The right of the people to initiate and refer laws has been enshrined in South Dakota’s Constitution since 1898. In recent years, citizen advocates have used the initiated measure process to raise the minimum wage (2014), end payday lending (2016), and expand Medicaid (2022). In November 2020, Amendment A passed with 54% of the vote, legalizing recreational marijuana. However, after judicial review, this result was nullified. While these ballot measures were being organized and promoted, South Dakota’s Republican supermajority legislature and two Republican Governors enacted dozens of changes to the initiative and referendum process. Some of these measures, too, have …

Emotional Balance, Health, And Resilience At The Start Of Covid-19 Pandemic, David Pincus, Bernard P. Ricca, Brooke Jenkins, Julia K. Boehm, Vincent Berardi, Amy C. Moors, David A. Frederick

Psychology Faculty Articles and Research

Self-organizing systems can shift between stability and flexibility in response to perturbation, a potential adaptive mechanism for understanding biopsychosocial resilience. Inverse Power-Law (IPL) structure, a frequency distribution that describes fractal patterns commonly produced by self-organization, produce measurements of stability and flexibility. This study applies these measures to emotional resilience at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Ratings of frequency over the past week (1-5 Likert scale) across 12 emotions (six positive and six negative) gathered in mid-April 2020 as part of a survey of adults’ (N = 4,094) pandemic experiences and health in the USA. The distributions of everyone’s emotion …

The Impact Of Socioeconomic Status On Substance Use Amongst The Hispanic Maternal Population, Emily C. Olivo

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Aim: To explore and synthesize existing research that focuses on the relationship between socioeconomic status and the use of substances amongst the maternal Hispanic population. By examining research and these factors, interventions can be identified to lower reported substance use rates amongst Hispanic mothers of childbearing ages.

Background: Minorities such as Hispanic women deal with a myriad of struggles, especially during motherhood. Socioeconomic status and substance use can contribute to a large part of the struggles faced by this population. Hispanic and Latina will be used interchangeably throughout this review of literature.

Method: A comprehensive electronic review of 3 databases …

An Examination Of Preservice Teacher Knowledge Of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (Adhd) In The Elementary Classroom, Breana K. E. Webb

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examines the knowledge of preservice teachers with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and how well prepared they might be when supporting students in elementary classrooms. ADHD is a diagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder in children and has been increasingly diagnosed over the past several years. Teachers play a crucial role in providing effective instruction to each and every student in the classroom. Managing classroom instruction with diverse learning capabilities and behaviors requires teachers to understand the characteristics of ADHD, as well as instructional adaptations and behavioral interventions, among preservice teachers. Findings indicate that while most preservice teachers recognize the basic …

Organization And Activation Of Caffeine Expectancies, Catherine S. Forsyth

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Caffeine is the most consumed and widely used psychoactive substance in the world. Whether someone uses caffeine or not, expectations about use can be influential to some degree. Expectancies exist everywhere and are extremely influential in all aspects of life. Regarding drug use, expectancies can affect behavior, outcomes, and one’s experience with the drug. Caffeine is no exception, caffeine expectancies have been seen to play a role in several actions such as the development, maintenance, and reinforcement of caffeine use. This study examined latent use profiles of caffeine and relationships between the profiles and the activation of caffeine expectancies. Multidimensional …

Community Redevelopment Agencies' (Cras) Perceptions Of The Legal, Ethical, Economic, And Financial Impacts On Florida's Redevelopment Since The Passage Of Florida House Bill 9 In 2019, Laurel L. Richmond

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This qualitative study explores the legal, ethical, economic, and financial impacts on Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRAs) following the passage of Florida House Bill (HB) 9 in 2019 by interviewing administrators and attorneys of the oldest Florida CRAs. CRAs are dependent special districts, funded by tax increment financing (TIF), and created to address areas deemed slum, blighted, or facing a shortage of affordable housing. HB 9 intended to address transparency and accountability issues and restore CRA operations and spending back to the original purpose, as authorized by Florida Statute 169.

The findings are timely and novel, given it has been five …

Assessing The Relationship Between Perceived Psychological And Physical Pain In Adults With Orthopedic Pain, Daniel C. Karimi Dehkordi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Suicide remains a public health concern in the U.S., particularly among individuals experiencing chronic pain and psychological distress. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between perceived physical and psychological pain in 41 adults with chronic orthopedic conditions. The relationship between other risk and protective factors and perceived levels of pain distress was also examined. Results showed a significant positive correlation between psychological distress and physical pain (r(39) = 0.388, p < .05) and psychological distress and depressive/anxiety symptoms (r (39) = 0.477, p < .01). Psychological distress was moderately associated with feelings of hopelessness (r (39) = 0.403, p < .01), however, the relationship between physical pain and hopelessness was weak and nonsignificant (r (39) = -0.06, p = .71). Contrary to expectations, emotional support did not buffer the effects of psychological distress (r (39) = 0.07, p = 0.66). Mediational analysis confirmed that emotional support did not influence the relationship between physical pain and psychological distress (Beta (β) = -0.969, p = 0.572; Sobel Z = 0.5598, p = 0.575). Age was not correlated with psychological distress (r (39) = -0.24, p = 0.13) or mental health symptoms (r (39) = -0.05, p = .77). While there was no significant difference across sex, males reported higher mental health symptomatology and psychological distress scores than female counterparts. These findings underscore the direct impact of physical pain on psychological distress and challenge assumptions about the protective role of social support. The study highlights the need for integrated, multidisciplinary interventions targeting both physical and psychological pain to mitigate suicide risk among individuals with chronic orthopedic conditions. Future research should iii explore alternative support mechanisms and resilience-building strategies to address the complex interplay of pain, distress, and suicidality.

Intelligent Tutoring Systems In The Age Of Llm-Based Agentic Frameworks - Adapting Small On-Device Language Models For Fact-Checking And Student Compliance Detection, Evan Vahid Naderi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

As large language models (LLMs) demonstrate increasingly sophisticated language understanding capabilities, they offer transformative potential for educational technology, particularly in developing more responsive intelligent tutoring systems (ITS). To develop these systems, a synthesis that balances theoretical frameworks with practical, cutting-edge, and deployable technology would be useful. This thesis aims to advance the field of ITSs theoretically by viewing the modern advancements in natural language processing within the context of the foundational frameworks important to the fields of self-regulated learning, ITSs, and cognitive agents. Then, building on prior research on the ITS MetaTutor \citep{Azevedo2022}, this research focuses on how functions of …

Physical Activity And Hypertension Outcomes Around Menopause In Adult Women—A Secondary Analysis Of The All Of Us Research Program, Meriam F. Naguib

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Hypertension significantly impacts menopausal women due to a decrease in estrogen levels. That is due to estrogen level changes, causing many metabolic alterations, one of which is increased vascular resistance, leading to hypertension. Advanced treatments are made available to help alleviate the condition; however, lifestyle modifications—especially physical activity—show a critical role in hypertension control. This thesis explored the effect of physical activity as a non-pharmacological, lifestyle intervention on hypertension in women by menopausal status (pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal). This study used a secondary analysis with a retrospective design. Physical activity was defined using the American Heart Association's (AHA) guidelines (i.e., …

The Intersection Of Autism Spectrum Disorder And Mental Health: A Focus On College Students, Sudeepta Matha

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Rising prevalence rates of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), changes in diagnostic criteria, and increased public awareness have all contributed to the growing population of college students with ASD. However, many individuals - commonly referred to as the “lost generation” - go undiagnosed, due to experiencing negative interactions with mental health professionals. As a result, these individuals are not given the proper support and interventions required for a successful transition into adulthood, and often face heightened social isolation, academic problems, mental health challenges compared to their neurotypical peers. A combination of these factors can lead to increased suicidal ideation (SI) and …

Anxiety And Adaptive Functioning In Young Adults: The Moderating Role Of Psychological Flexibility, Makenzie L. Kennedy, Jeffrey E. Cassisi

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Anxiety is highly prevalent among emerging adults and is associated with impairments in academic, social, and daily functioning. While previous research has documented strong associations between anxiety and adaptive functioning, the present study uniquely tested psychological flexibility as a potential moderator that may foster resilience and adaptive coping.

Undergraduate students (N = 522) from the University of Central Florida completed measures of anxiety (PROMIS-A, GAD-7, STAI-S), adaptive functioning (WHODAS 2.0), and psychological flexibility (COMPACT-23). Confirmatory factor analyses supported distinct but correlated latent constructs of anxiety and adaptive functioning. Due to poor subscale intercorrelations, the COMPACT-23 total score was modeled as …

Generation Z’S Perception Of Skin Cancer And How It Relates To Climate Change, Piercen Bogolea

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, and climate change has been identified as a significant contributor. Preventative action early on can help reduce occurrence, but it is unknown if Generation Z is aware of this and is taking the necessary action now to protect themselves. This research aims to gauge the perception of Generation Z on the severity of skin cancer, the relationship between climate change and skin cancer, and the prevalence of preventative measures being taken. A survey was distributed to students aged 18 to 27 enrolled at the University of Central Florida through mixed sampling. The …

Genomic Epidemiology Of Staphylococcus Aureus Sequence-Type 97, Eva Armao

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a gram-positive bacterial pathogen that colonizes human nasal passages, mucous membranes, or the skin of carriers, with colonization commonly found in 20-30% of healthy people. S. aureus has the potential for two types of infection within human hosts: methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant (MRSA). These infections can be further classified based on their route of infection, either known as community-associated (CA), healthcare-associated (HA), or healthcare-associated community-onset (HACO). Upon further investigation of infected populations, specific genetic subtypes of S. aureus, known as sequence types (ST), have been identified globally, with some exhibiting increased virulence among …

The Yeasty Rise Of Conservatism By Fermenting Sourdough, Sydney M. Mcrae

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Baking has become increasingly popular in the last five years, particularly baking sourdough bread. This is evident through the rise of social media influencers focusing on trad-wife, family, and sourdough content. Trad wife is the term used to describe a a woman who lives a lifestyle that endorses gender roles, child-rearing, and taking care of the family. There is significant crossover between American social conservative ideals and a trad-wife. The emblem for a tradwife has become baking sourdough since the coronavirus pandemic. Previous research has linked the correlation between American social conservatism and the increasingly popular trad-wife phenomenon. Existing literature …

Multi-Criteria Gis Suitability Analysis For Sustainable Agricultural Tourism Site Selection In Peru, Jessica J. Mccord

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Agricultural tourism offers a mechanism to strengthen rural economies while preserving traditional practices and unique cultural identities. In the Peruvian Andes, rural communities confront increasing challenges in the face of a changing climate and reliance on industrialized agriculture. Rural communities attempt to strike a delicate balance between economic development and heritage preservation. This research utilizes a Geographic Information System (GIS)- based analysis to identify areas best positioned for the development of agritourism initiatives. The suitability analysis integrates both local and global sustainability priorities by incorporating a set of defined criteria that together identify areas that are the most appropriate for …

Identification Of Fiducial Points In Seismocardiographic Cycles Using Manual And Automated Annotation Methods, Jasmine-Vy T. Truong

Honors Undergraduate Theses

There is currently a need for complementary methods for non-invasive cardiac monitoring. Seismocardiography (SCG), the measurement of cardiac-induced vibrations at the chest surface, has shown potential clinical utility. Improving the reliability of detecting fiducial points of electrocardiography (ECG) and SCG, which collectively capture the electro-mechanical cardiac activities, could expand ECG/SCG utility as a low-cost, accessible tool for clinical assessment. This study identifies commonly accepted criteria for fiducial point detection in SCG and ECG through an extensive literature review and signal processing techniques. The previous criteria were evaluated to identify their strengths and weaknesses. Based on the findings, an improved set …