Digital Commons Network^™

Editor's Note, Marites Tiongco

DLSU Business & Economics Review

No abstract provided.

The Contributors, Marites Tiongco

DLSU Business & Economics Review

No abstract provided.

The Ethics Of Patient And Public Involvement Across The Research Process: Towards Partnership With People With Aphasia, Deborah Hersh, Mark Israel, Ciara Shiggins

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: Conducting Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in health research is a way of building knowledge that incorporates the experience of service users, adds research impact, and helps avoid wasting resources on findings that have little relevance to people or cannot be implemented. We argue that there is a need to extend ethical considerations currently focused on research participants with aphasia to encompass and guide expectations of involvement in partnerships with people with aphasia across the research lifecycle.

Method: We use the 2018 revision of the Australian National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research as the framework for this …

Improving Mental Health Referral Systems In Rural Australia: Co-Design Study With Health Professionals And Consumers, Kate Bartel, Asini Malinka Siriwardene, Paul Worley, Kim Pearce, Niranjan Bidargaddi, Bronwin Patrickson, Simon Moody, Sharon Wingard, Martin Jones, Brian Mckenny, Darryl Cameron, Sharon Lawn, Amy E. Mendham

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: In rural Australia, geographical isolation, limited resources, and complex health care navigation create significant barriers to mental health care access. Mental health care professionals and organizations often work in segregation, exacerbating existing barriers. Digital technology provides an opportunity to improve communication between providers and streamline workflows while supporting a diverse range of consumers. Objective: This co-design study aimed to identify rural community needs and explore digital solutions to enhance mental health service delivery pathways. Methods: Using a design-thinking methodology, we conducted focus groups and workshops with 17 participants (7 consumers and caregivers and 10 health care professionals) from a …

Of Scents And Cytokines: How Olfactory And Food Aversions Relate To Nausea And Immunomodulation In Early Pregnancy, Dayoon Kwon, Daniel M.T. Fessler, Delaney A. Knorr, Kyle S. Wiley, Julie Sartori, David A. Coall, Molly M. Fox

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: During pregnancy, the maternal body undergoes extensive physiological adaptations to support embryonic growth, including whole-body remodeling, that may induce odor and food aversions, as well as nausea and vomiting. The biological mechanisms behind odor and food aversions, as well as nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy, remain largely unexplored. Our study investigated associations between these changes and cytokine profiles during pregnancy. Methodology: A cohort of pregnant Latina women in Southern California (n = 58) completed a structured questionnaire on pregnancy "morning sickness"-related symptoms and aversions. Maternal plasma cytokine levels were measured between 5 and 17 weeks' gestation. Results: About …

Regional Tourism Destination Brand Identity Formation Via Social Media: A Mixed Methods Study, Stephanie Meek, Violetta Wilk

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This study examines the influence of social media on regional destination brand identity, addressing post-COVID-19 challenges for regional destinations through the Adaptive Control of Thought-Rational (ACT-R) theory framework. We conducted two studies: a qualitative analysis of 2325 social media user-generated content posts using Leximancer, and a quantitative survey of 1239 potential tourists using structural equation modelling (SEM) with AMOS. The qualitative study identified distinctive brand associations for the regional tourism destination, which informed Study 2. The quantitative study demonstrated that electronic word of mouth (eWOM) on social media has a positive influence on perceptions of regional tourism destination brand identity, …

The Weapon Focus Effect On Memory For Male And Female Perpetrators, Faith Christel Aasen

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research on the weapon focus effect suggests that weapon presence causes reduced memory accuracy for perpetrator details due to weapons being surprising and unexpected. The unusualness hypothesis suggests that a stronger weapon focus effect should occur when the perpetrator defies typical gender stereotypes, such as a woman holding a gun. The current study sought to examine how the weapon focus effect impacts eyewitness memory for male and female perpetrators, specifically exploring the magnitude of the effect on female perpetrators. The current study further investigated whether the own gender bias attenuates the weapon focus effect on memory for female perpetrators. …

Gender And Family Differences In Faculty Motivation, Allyssa Jean Baumbach

Theses and Dissertations

This three-article dissertation examines gender and family differences in faculty motivation. Faculty motivation has primarily been studied in the context of development but has only recently begun to focus on productivity and success. Further, studies of faculty motivation do not provide in depth analysis of gender and family differences. Therefore, the current program of research uses the Self-Determination Theory to examine gender and family differences in faculty motivation and considers how traditional gender norms may contribute to these differences. The first study explored if gender difference existed. Data from a small sample of faculty (N=118) from two universities in the …

Belongingness, Trust And Connection: Arts Teachers In Western Australian Schools Create Safe Learning Spaces, Christina Gray, Lisa Paris, Geoffrey Lowe, Angela Perry, Lara Warwick

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Central to this phenomenological inquiry is the question of how students’ fundamental needs of belonging, trust and connection are enacted in arts classrooms. Through qualitative semi-structured interviews, this research explores the teaching practices of 23 expert arts teachers in Western Australian schools, revealing strategies to sustain supportive and safe learning environments. The findings highlight the disconnection students face in their schools and the significance of trust in embracing diversity, cultivating quality relationships, and empowering student voice. Understanding these evolving practices can enable less experienced teachers to adapt arts-based approaches to foster inclusive spaces that prioritise student well-being and connection.

Students As Digital Designers In Engineering, Matthew Daniel Christie, Belinda Von Mengersen, Martin Levins, Carol Puddicombe

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This chapter examines the integration of digital technologies in Engineering education contexts from primary to secondary school classrooms. It outlines a progression of learning experiences integrating digital tools, such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, programming platforms, and data analysis applications, into Engineering education modules so that students can build their technological proficiency and creativity. The chapter emphasises using real-world scenarios, such as the design of a smart garden or bridge-building projects, to make engineering principles more tangible. It explores the role of signature pedagogies and the Standards for Technological and Engineering Literacy (STEL) in structuring curriculum and instructional strategies to …

Capacity Building In Research Data Management Services: A Case Of Malaysian Research-Intensive Universities, Mohd Ikhwan Ismail

Student Works (2020-2029)

The increasing volume of research data has led to the emergence of research data management (RDM). Researchers generate substantial amounts of data that require efficient management throughout various stages of the research lifecycle. Dissemination and sharing of research data are key components of open science and RDM, driven by the requirements of funders, publishers, and institutions. Consequently, libraries have become vital in supporting researchers and adapting to the rapid growth of research data. The academic librarians providing RDM services need the capacity to fulfil roles and responsibilities for the research community. In the Malaysian context, RDM is still in its …

Design Of Modular Soft Gripper For Harvesting, Mostafa Abdelaziz, Ahmed Reda, Abdulrhman Atef, Mahmoud Magdy

Mechanical Engineering

Soft robotics presents a transformative approach to agricultural automation, addressing the limitations of traditional mechanical systems in handling delicate crops. This paper introduces a modular soft robotic gripper designed for gentle harvesting applications, with a focus on adaptability, precision, and crop safety. The gripper's performance was evaluated through Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and experimental testing, targeting its ability to conform to objects of varying shapes, sizes, and fragility. The FEA confirmed the gripper's capability to apply a load based on the gripped crop of the range 0.6 – 0.75 N, sufficient for damage-free harvesting of sensitive produce like strawberries and …

Design And Implementation Of Smart Automation For Sustainable Plastic Recycling With Iot Integration, Mostafa Abdelaziz, Mahmoud Khedr, Amr Bakkar, Yossef Zidan, Abdelrahman Youssef, Mahmoud Magdy

Mechanical Engineering

Plastic pollution poses a critical environmental challenge, infiltrating ecosystems and impacting human health. One innovative solution involves repurposing recycled plastics into interlocking blocks as a sustainable alternative to concrete in construction. However, manual production methods hinder scalability, efficiency, and product consistency while generating material waste. This research addresses these limitations by automating the production process using PLC and IoT technologies. The findings demonstrate that automation significantly enhances production rates, ensures consistent quality, and minimizes waste, thereby improving operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. IoT is integrated to enhance the system's capabilities by providing real-time connectivity and data exchange. The IoT dashboard, …

Multi-Objective Monitoring Of Cvd Diamond Micro-Grinding Tools Using Acoustic Emission And Force Signals With Neural Network Optimization, Ahmed Elkaseer, Jianfei Jia, Bianbian Meng, Bing Guo, Jun Qin, Guicheng Wu, Huan Zhao, Zhenfei Guo, Qingyu Meng, Qingliang Zhao, Honghui Yao, Amr Monier

Mechanical Engineering

Micro-grinding has been widely used in aerospace and other industry, and its application was mainly the asymmetric microstructure. Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) diamond has drawn attention for its good wear resistance. However, the small diameter and high spindle speed may cause difficulties on the monitoring of the micro-grinding processes. In order to solve the mentioned problem, a novel multi-objective monitoring method of structured CVD diamond micro-grinding tool based on acoustic emission (AE) and force signals is presented in this study to achieve the high efficiency of the tool condition and grinding quality. The relationship between the grinding quality, tool condition, …

Current Practices In Implementing The Occupational Therapy Doctoral Capstone Needs Assessment: A National Survey, Laurie D. Stelter, Kaitlyn Cremer, Lou Rutigliano, Leslye Morris, Lima Ghulmi, Ana Allegretti

Occupational Therapy Faculty Publications

Entry-level occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) programs navigate curricular decisions related to designing, implementing, and refining doctoral capstone processes. One of the complex requirements is the doctoral capstone needs assessment (DCNA) which each student completes prior to the implementation of the doctoral capstone project. The researchers aimed to contribute to the specificity of DCNA-related understanding, informing quality decision-making, via a national, cross-sectional survey of current DCNA practices. Purposive sampling resulted in a 24.3% (n=54) response rate of mostly Doctoral Capstone Coordinators (DCCs; 98.1%) representing programs across doctoral capstone experience levels. The timing of DCNA processes trended toward the latter half of …

Is Laughter The Best Medicine? Analyzing The Role Of Gallows Humor In Nursing Education, Favour Onichabor-Connell

Honors College Theses

Gallows humor is a coping mechanism used by healthcare professionals to manage stress and emotional burden. Understanding its role in nursing education can help educators and students navigate the complexities of the profession. This study examined its significance through a literature review and a survey of nursing students and educators. The literature review included 15 peer-reviewed articles from databases like GALILEO, CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus, highlighting both its benefits and ethical concerns. Findings suggest gallows humor is commonly used for stress management and is generally viewed as beneficial for learning and emotional resilience. However, concerns were raised about its potential …

Analysis Of The Microbiome Of Amblyomma Americanum In The Statesboro Region, Ella Zierdt, Lorenza Beati, Mary Humphrey, Saviour Dralabu

Honors College Theses

The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, is the most common tick in Georgia. It is mainly known as an Ehrlichia spp. vector, but its microbiome can be diverse, depending on geography, developmental stage, and season. Little is known about bacterial diversity in ticks from the southeastern U.S. A Nanopore MinION sequencer was used for a preliminary analysis of the bacterial microbiome in A. americanum from the Statesboro region. DNA was extracted from 39 nymphs, 35 males, and 39 females. DNA samples were pooled by month of collection and life stage/sex, amplified with barcoded 16SrDNA primers, and sequenced. Approx. 77% …

Embodied Mythology Of Rhetoric: The Dialectic Of The Gender Binary Logos, Isaac A. Lacap

Honors College Theses

Gender is often described as a social construct. This description usually contrasts social construction with other unchanging, unambiguous concepts. Through Chiara Bottici's analysis, I argue the concept of myth breaks us from this dichotomy. By understanding myth as the persistent creation of significance through narratives, we no longer leave myth to the ambit of untruth and unreality. Instead, we see myths as a way to direct people’s actions by giving them a way to see the world. By integrating Bottici with Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology, I argue the significance of myth occurs through embodiment by organizing gestures. These gestures form a system …

Comparing The Patient Shielding Practices For Healthcare Facilities In Southeast Georgia, Genesis Horton

Honors College Theses

Since the discovery of X-rays in 1895, research has consistently been conducted on their capabilities and limitations in healthcare. One primary focus of interest is patient shielding, especially regarding radiation protection and patient safety. Introduced in the mid-1900s, patient shielding has been practiced to protect the gonads, the thyroid, and other radiosensitive body parts. This research project investigated common shielding protocols implemented in healthcare facilities, specifically within Southeast Georgia. This study utilized anonymized in-person interviews with local imaging departments regarding their procedures and protocols for patient shielding. Results from these interviews have been analyzed and compared to shielding best practices …

Are Blow Flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Active Nocturnally In South Georgia?, Breana R. Manning

Honors College Theses

Medicolegal forensic entomology uses insect colonization of remains to estimate minimum post-mortem intervals (mPMI). Blow flies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) are among the earliest colonizers, yet their nocturnal activity remains poorly understood. This study aimed to determine whether blow flies are active at night and whether artificial light influences their behavior. Using baited bottle traps in both artificially lit and unlit environments near Georgia Southern University, flies were collected over two trials in fall 2024. Of the 1,843 blow flies collected, only six were captured at night (0.003%), suggesting minimal nocturnal activity. Lucilia coeruleiviridis preferred unlit environments. In contrast, Cochliomyia macellaria was …

Exploring Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears: Causes, Reconstruction, And Outcomes, Holly L. Bollinger

Honors College Theses

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a critical structure in knee stability, and its injury can significantly impair athletic performance and daily functionality. The ACL plays a vital role in stabilizing the knee joint, preventing excessive forward movement of the tibia relative to the femur and aiding in rotational control. ACL tears are commonly associated with sports and physical activities that involve sudden stops, pivots, or changes in direction. These injuries can lead to knee instability, impaired function, and long-term complications. Despite the prevalence of ACL tears, there remains a lack of consensus on the multifactorial causes, optimal reconstruction techniques, …

Ankle Dorsiflexion Range Of Motion And Its Association With Semi-Professional Female Soccer Player's Overall Performance, Lily G. Nolan

Honors College Theses

Lower extremity injury screening is a common tool in soccer due to the changes of direction, jumping, landing, and cutting maneuvers players must exhibit. Talocrural dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM), vertical jump (VJ) and unilateral hop tests are used to assess ankle and knee injury risk. Further, DFROM asymmetries may present a higher risk than reduced DFROM alone. It is unknown how DFROM asymmetries affect these tests. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between DFROM and hop and VJ performance, and to examine the differences between those with and without DFROM asymmetries. The current results …

English Language Learners In The Classroom: Perspectives And Teaching Approaches Using Art Integration, Kimberly M. Rodriguez

Honors College Theses

Art is a sensory language. In language learning, visual literacy is an essential factor in developing interlanguage. Art can interchange cultural understanding and promote social learning. The research gathered is based on the perspectives of teachers in the neighboring schools located in Georgia. The purpose of this paper is to examine how teachers can support language learning using visual literacy. Teachers are asked to participate in an interview to record their experiences in language learning. In the completion of the data collected, the analysis gives a deeper understanding of how to improve accommodating language learners in the classroom using visual …

Impact Of Expert Witness Gendered Appearance And Emotion On Perceptions Of Credibility And Verdicts, Audrey Molter

Honors College Theses

Past research has highlighted biases in how individuals are perceived based on their gender and expressed emotions. The current study assessed how the perceived femininity or masculinity of expert witnesses impact credibility and verdicts in a jury decision making task. Additionally, it investigated how the presence or absence of emotional expression, specifically, anger versus neutral presentations, affects the perception of expert credibility and verdict outcomes. One hundred and eighteen undergraduate participants assumed the role of jurors in a criminal trial involving ambiguous evidence, with the expert witness serving as the primary source of testimony for the defense. Four versions of …

Exploring The Effects Of Resource Salience On Perceptions Of Social Support And Belongingness In Undergraduate Students, Arya C. Johnson, Karen Z. Naufel

Honors College Theses

In recent years, mental health has been a rising concern among college students (Worsley et al., 2022). One method to mitigate stress and raise levels of mental health is social support, which is support derived from relationships or the environment (Zee & Bolger, 2019). Social support presents in different forms, such as visible social support, or support directly given to and acknowledged by the recipient, and invisible social support, or support indirectly given to and unacknowledged by the recipient. Another method to mitigate stress is belongingness, which is the feeling that one is an intrinsic part of their environment (Hagerty …

The Role Of Horizontal Gene Transfer In Antibiotic Resistance Amidst Prevalent Community And Healthcare-Associated Mrsa Rates, Gabrielle Nascimento

Honors College Theses

In recent decades, cases of community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) and healthcare-associated MRSA (HA-MRSA) have been on the rise. The ability of antibiotic resistance to transfer between microorganisms greatly expands its threat to the effective treatment and containment of bacterial infections. The mecA gene is found on a mobile cassette within the Staphylococcal cell and encodes for PBP2a, an alternate version of penicillin-binding protein (PBP) with less binding affinity for β-lactam antibiotics, increasing resistance to the effects of antibiotics. The goal of this research is to investigate the horizontal transfer of the mecA gene between various Staphylococcus species as well as to …

Exploring Lgbtq+ Competency In Healthcare, Jordan Whiteman

Honors College Theses

Marginalized groups such as the LGBTQ+ community are known to face healthcare disparities that negatively affect their process of navigating healthcare systems. This project explores the perceived lack of representation and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community within healthcare settings, exposing the deficits in knowledge for unique challenges and inequalities these patients may face. By viewing the literature, a myriad of complications faced by LGBTQ+ people in clinical settings can be identified. They possess a generalized feeling of mistrust towards the healthcare system. Healthcare staff overall describe low confidence with caring for this demographic. Heteronormativity’s presence in the field of healthcare …

I Prophesy Disaster: Adapting Musical Storytelling To Fashion, Adam Snedden

Honors College Theses

Fashion is an artistic medium, where garments communicate ideas to any potential viewers by using visual imagery and relying on our cultural expectations. At the level of haute couture design, these visuals grow more elaborate and dramatic. With this project, I wanted to accomplish the goal of adapting a song, the gothic-inspired progressive rock epic A Plague of Lighthouse Keepers, into a single couture-style look. Getting as many details of the song as possible to be apparent in an overcoat, shirt, and pants was a challenging task that required extensive use of embroidery and attention to detail. Additionally, this look …

Evaluation Of Therapist Modeling To Decrease Latency To Exercise Initiation, Darci L. Davis, Kayla Randall

Honors College Theses

Patients recovering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) or other adverse health events (e.g., hip surgery) often require physical therapy (PT) to restore baseline function. However, individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia may have difficulty engaging in therapy due to deficits in attention, imitation skills, and motor performance. Enhancing participation in this population is essential for achieving functional recovery and return to baseline status. This study aimed to determine whether systematic model prompting could decrease latency to compliance and increase the level of completion of therapeutic exercises in short-term rehabilitation settings. A multiple-baseline single-case design with time-lagged and staggered …

Puzzling Our Way Into Computational Thinking, David J. Mulder

Faculty Work Comprehensive List

This unplugged activity is a brief, practical introduction to computational thinking that uses an accessible and decidedly low-tech approach: solving a jigsaw puzzle. The skills needed to collaboratively solve a jigsaw puzzle illustrate the key concepts of computational thinking in a straightforward way that makes the basics of decomposition, pattern recognition, abstraction, and algorithmic thinking come to life. The learning representation included here was taught as part of a professional development workshop for PK-12 teachers but could easily be adapted to use with learners from upper elementary grades through middle school, high school, or university.