Digital Commons Network^™

Accessibility Of Higher Education: Supporting Student Self-Advocacy, Morgan Diane Halliday

Occupational Therapy Capstones

As of the 2020-2021 academic year, 1 in 5 undergraduate students reported having a disability (National Center for Education Statistics, n.d.). College students with disabilities (CSWD) face social and physical environmental barriers to higher education due to exclusive policies, procedures, and designs. In turn, occupational engagement is decreased, inhibiting participation in education. A college education can support career opportunities, financial stability, and personal development (Plotner & May, 2019). Therefore, it is essential that CSWD have equitable access. Despite efforts from college campuses to become more accessible, gaps remain that require CSWD to be self-advocates. The purpose of this project was …

Frailty Indices In Patients Undergoing Functional Neurosurgical Procedures: A Systematic Review, Carmelo Venero Jr., Joanna M. Roy, Nirbha Ghurye, Akshay Warrier, Muhammad Usman Khalid, Niels Pacheco-Barrios, Farhan A. Mirza, Christian A. Bowers

Neurosurgery Faculty Publications

Introduction: Functional neurosurgery covers a wide array of neurological disorders with an equally vast array of treatment modalities, including neuromodulation, decompressive, and ablative therapies for disparate pathologies such as pain, neuromodulation, disconnection, and refractory epilepsy. One of the most common functional treatments is deep brain stimulation for movement disorders and select psychiatric diseases. Functional neurosurgery treats patients with reduced quality of life from pathological neuronal pathways. Optimal patient selection by preoperatively identifying high-risk patients is critical for avoiding as many operative complications as possible, in addition to managing complications better once they occur. Frailty indices have demonstrated superior discrimination in …

Dr. Kiran C. Patel College Of Osteopathic Medicine Handbook: Graduate Section, Nova Southeastern University

Health Professions Divisions Course Catalogs and Course Descriptions

No abstract provided.

College-Specific Policies And Procedures: Dr. Pallavi Patel College Of Health Care Sciences, Nova Southeastern University

Health Professions Divisions Course Catalogs and Course Descriptions

No abstract provided.

Parents With Low Mood And Their Child: Exploring The Effects Of Group Art Therapy, Allison M. Pierce-Gay

Art Therapy | Master's Theses

This qualitative study examines the effects of group art therapy on postpartum depression (PPD) symptoms, specifically focusing on reducing isolation and improving parent–child attachment. The participants included two parents with self-reported low mood and one child (aged 2–2.5 years), and insights from eight multidisciplinary experts (clinicians, educators, and parents) were also gathered. Interventions included a somatic body scan, collage-making, and dyadic handprint painting. The results indicated reduced isolation (Likert scores improved from 3.5 to 4.75) and enhanced attachment through nonverbal co-creation; however, structural barriers (e.g., time poverty) limited sustained impact. Expert interviews identified seven themes, including grief, systemic isolation, and …

Leading The Way In Dentistry’S New Era: Integration, Wellness, And Respect, Brett Kessler

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Dr. Brett Kessler, President of the American Dental Association, reflects on his presidential year and his belief in the importance of three pillars in dentistry: promoting wellness, fostering a culture of respect and reconnecting the body to the mouth.

Exploring The Interplay Of Health-Related Psychological Constructs, Health Promotion Programs, And Work Outcomes: A Two-Study Approach, Peyton Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

Health and wellness initiatives have become central components within modern workplaces. A growing emphasis on maintaining and improving personal health and wellness has clear effects in professional environments as health promotion programs are increasingly implemented. This project aims to uncover the psychological constructs that are targeted and influenced by such programs. Specifically, these studies examine the influence of health messaging on individual levels of health anxiety and health consciousness and investigate how those constructs interact with attendance and health-related outcomes. Additionally, information regarding an employees’ organizational commitment was gathered to examine its’ potential impact. The thesis further elaborates on the …

Differential Effects Of Health Insurance Coverage On Health For Sexual Minorities, Ruby W. Morr

Theses and Dissertations

Much existing research has found a substantial gap in health between sexual minorities and non-minorities. This is usually attributed to discrimination or access to care. I seek to find the role that insurance plays, including minorities' choices of insurance coverage. If a gap does exist, insurance may have a stronger impact on sexual minorities. Also, if minorities are less likely to have insurance coverage, they may be susceptible to worse health. I confirm results from the literature that sexual minorities do have worse health. While health insurance accounts for some of the gap, it is only a small portion, though …

Listening To The Body: Attunement And Advocacy In Women's Experiences Of Endometriosis, Rebekah E. Greenslaugh

Theses and Dissertations

Endometriosis is a chronic, inflammatory condition in which tissue similar to the endometrial lining grows outside the uterus, leading to severe pain, fatigue, and other debilitating symptoms. Despite its significant impact on daily life, many women with endometriosis report that their symptoms are dismissed in medical encounters, as their pain is minimized or normalized as an inherent aspect of womanhood. This medical dismissal, combined with a lack of definitive diagnostic tools and effective treatments, leads many to turn to online support communities to make sense of their symptoms, share experiences, and develop ways to cope with the condition. Drawing on …

Ole Rna Is A Component Of A Large Particle That Promotes Bacterial Growth Under Diverse Stresses, Seth Eugene Lyon

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

Prior to the 1980s, RNA macromolecules were largely viewed as a transient carrier of the genetic code used for protein synthesis, with little chemical versatility beyond Watson-Crick-Franklin base-pairing. The discovery of catalytic RNAs in 1982, however, upended this view and established that RNA was a chemically capable biopolymer. Since then, several classes of RNA with functions independent from protein synthesis have been discovered in all domains of life. Excluding those that have functions relevant to protein translation, noncoding RNAs that are large (> 200 nt) and have a conserved, complex structure are rare in bacteria. However, as more bacteria were …

Generational Exposures To Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles And Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid Affect The Performance Of Daughter Plants, Preston Clubb

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The effects of parental stress on the performance of next generation exposed to another contaminant were investigated. Wheat was exposed to cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2-NPs) in first and second generations and exposed to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in the third generation. Phenotypic or metabolic responses were assessed at 21-day (short-term exposure) or 90-day (long-term exposure) exposure periods. Biomass production, chlorophyll content, enzyme activity, and membrane damage were measured at short-term exposure, while elemental and PFOS concentrations, and grain metabolites were analyzed in long-term exposure. Results showed that continued exposures to CeO2-NPs and PFOS enhanced chlorophyll content but reduced concentrations of important …

2025-2026 Course Catalog, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of The Registrar

University of Montana Course Catalogs, 1895-2024

An annual catalog of courses and course descriptions offered at the University of Montana.

Technological Readiness Versus Disruption: A Framework For Assessing Distinct Artificial Intelligence Policy Strategies, Orly Lobel

Emory Law Journal

Artificial intelligence (“AI”) is here and rapidly advancing. As the 2024 Thrower Symposium of the Emory Law Journal demonstrated, developments in the integration of AI to all aspects of life raise fundamental challenges for legal scholars and policymakers about the desirability and legitimacy of algorithmic decision-making, the societal impact of automation, and the liability, ownership, and regulatory puzzles created by substituting human actions with AI systems. This Article provides a framework for analyzing the readiness and desirability of contemporary technological innovation while continuing to address the effects and impact of technological shifts on the labor market, social welfare, and democracy. …

Representation In Higher Education: A Closer Look Into Cal Poly Humboldt’S Hsi Designation Through The Courageous Cuentos Retrospective, Audriana Peñaloza

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

When it comes to representation in education, it can be inconsistent. For many students of color, it can either feel like their identity is included in the conversations in the classroom and on campus, or it can feel like an afterthought — especially in higher education. Many colleges in the country are classified as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), Cal Poly Humboldt being one of them. This designation claims that Humboldt has the resources and support systems for all students of color, especially for the Hispanic/Latine population on campus. However, it looks like it is the student population that rise …

An Economic And Production Analysis Of Seaweed Farms In California And The Pacific Northwest, Brian Donovan

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

Since the early 2010s, the seaweed aquaculture industry has steadily expanded in the United States, with states like Alaska, Maine, Hawaii, and Connecticut leading the way in the development of this emerging sector. However, information gaps remain concerning certain aspects of the domestic seaweed aquaculture industry. The purpose of this study was to examine the status of the seaweed aquaculture industry along the West Coast of the United States; specifically in the states of California, Oregon, and Washington. Seaweed farmers in these states were invited to voluntarily complete surveys asking important production, economic, and commercial questions regarding their operations. Data …

Elementary Teachers' Attitudes And Perceptions Of Physical Education, Jennifer Lemon

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The purpose of this research study is to evaluate the attitudes of elementary grade teachers towards teaching physical education, the barriers they face providing instructing, and the support they receive within their hiring district to teach PE to students, including those with disabilities. Purposive sampling was used to recruit current elementary grade level teachers who are responsible for teaching PE within their normal school day. Teachers were included in the survey if they were current elementary teachers that taught PE. A survey developed using Qualtrics was designed to focus on the attitudes of elementary teachers towards teaching PE. Results from …

Cultivation Of Winged Kelp (Alaria Marginata) In Humboldt Bay, Evan C. Simpson

Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects

The cultivation potential of the winged kelp (Alaria marginata) was evaluated in Humboldt Bay, California, to further develop sustainable aquaculture in the region. Seasonality, depth, and system design were evaluated in regard to harvest biomass and quality. Results suggested that single-longline configurations at shallow depths (< 2 m) produced greater total biomass than a multi-longline system, suggesting enhanced water flow and reduced self-shading improved growth. Kelp grew best with a winter outplanting period (December-April), most likely due to environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, nutrients, and salinity) being within the kelp’s tolerable range, with as much as 2.24 kg/meter of kelp being harvested. These findings demonstrate that while the estuarine system has more variable conditions than predicted, A. marginata can be successfully cultivated in Humboldt Bay and highlight its potential as a viable crop for northern California’s emerging seaweed industry. Future work targeting the optimization of single-longline design and deployment timing may further improve yield and support regional goals for sustainable aquaculture and food security.

Ethical Issues In Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness, And Response, Govind Persad

Publications

Pandemic policies raise complex ethical challenges, as well as scientific and technical ones. This chapter examines four critical areas where ethical analysis is essential for effective pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response: spending decisions, clinical research, restrictions on rights and freedoms, and fair allocation of scarce medical resources.

Spending on pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response often involves trade-offs with other societal priorities, such as education, infrastructure, and environment. Navigating these trade-offs requires careful consideration of opportunity costs and distributional impacts.

Rights and freedoms can likewise present difficult trade-offs when pandemic policies restrict individual liberties, requiring clear goals and proportionate responses that …

The Impact Of Led Light Spectra On The Growth, Yield, Physiology, And Sweetness Compound Of Stevia Rebaudiana, Naofel Aljafer, Abdullah Alrajhi, Toby Anderson Von Trampe, William Vevers, Sophie Fauset, Hail Zuhir Rihan

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

This study investigated the effects of several light spectra on Stevia rebaudiana, analysing growth parameters, yield, and physiological responses within a controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) system. The experimental design involved different light treatments, including specific combinations of blue (435 nm and 450 nm), red (663 nm), and ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths (365 nm), to determine their impact on morphological development and biochemical properties, particularly focusing on the production of the sweetening compounds stevioside and rebaudioside A. Stevia rebaudiana plants cultivated from cuttings sourced from a reputable UK nursery (Gardener’s Dream Ltd., Glasgow, UK) were subjected to these spectral treatments over a period …

Moral Foundations For Peacebuilding Dialogue: A Comparative Analysis Of Orthodoxy And Islam, Aleksandr Grizhev, Ivan Blazhevski, Ruzhica Cacanoska

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

Throughout history, religion has been invoked in both peaceful and violent contexts, often manipulated to serve political agendas. However, beneath the surface of conflict, the foundational moral teachings of religions can provide powerful tools for reconciliation. This paper explores the shared moral principles in Orthodox Christianity and Islam, focusing on benevolence, equity, and moderation, to highlight their potential for fostering dialogue and resolving conflicts. By comparing the ethical teachings of the Bible and the Quran, the analysis reveals that both religions emphasize compassion, equity, and self-restraint as core values. Despite the historical use of these faiths to justify division and …

2025 Fall Commencement, Georgia Southern University

Commencement Programs

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of The Novel Nurse Intuition Patient Deterioration Scale To Assess For A Correlation Among Nurse Intuition And Patients Returning To The Intensive Care Unit, Janie L. Walsh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction/Background: Adult hospitalized medical and surgical patients at an academic medical center are being transferred out of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to the step-down floor and having rapid response calls in less than 48 hours after the transfer. Nurse intuition is not a consideration in the decision to transfer a patient. Physiological variables such as Modified Early Warning Scores (MEWS) and vital signs are relied on heavily as indicators for escalation or de-escalation of care. There is evidence supporting the use of acknowledging nurse intuition to better predict a patient’s readiness for transitions of care.

Purpose: To evaluate the …

3d Printed Microfluidic Platforms For Elisa-Based Diagnostics: Advancing Toward Point Of Care, Brandi Marie Binkley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Protein biomarker detection is a critical analytical method for quantifying proteins in biological samples. It is relevant not only in medical diagnostics and research but also numerous other fields such as environmental monitoring, pharmacology, food safety, and biotechnology. Sensitive detection at picogram-per-milliliter (pg/mL) levels is essential for diagnosing diseases, monitoring progression, and tailoring treatments, especially for low-abundance biomarkers like troponin, interleukin 6, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), activin A, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Immunoassays, particularly enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), are the gold standard for protein biomarker detection due to their high specificity and sensitivity. The development of point-of-care (POC) diagnostic …

The Dna Methylation Capacity Of The Tsetse Fly: Glossina Morsitans, And Its Integration With Symbiont Nutrient Provisioning, Dylan Forrest Richmond

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) are the vector of trypanosomes (Trypanosoma spp.), which are responsible for African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness. African trypanosomiasis is a significant health and economic burden yet remains a neglected tropical disease. As an obligate blood feeder, tsetse flies are reliant on B vitamin supplementation from intracellular Gammaproteobacteria, Wigglesworthia glossinidia. Folate (B9) is essential for tsetse development and reproduction, as well as DNA methylation in animals. As a reversible modification, DNA methylation typically occurs in a CpG dinucleotide context and can alter gene expression via the restriction of transcription. Across insects, the …

Raman Spectroscopy For Rapid Quantification Of Macronutrients In Heirloom Beans, K. Chandler Williams

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Quantification of macronutrients in food requires a large investment in facilities and instrumentation as well as ongoing expenses of labor, reagents, and hazardous waste disposal. These costs pose a significant barrier to determining macronutrient quantities in the thousands of uncharacterized landrace and heirloom crops and discourage traditional crop breeding projects from ensuring that their selected crops maintain desirable macronutrient profiles in addition to target agronomic traits. Our objective was to test whether a hand-held Raman spectrometer—a technology which has found use in plant disease diagnostics but remains largely overlooked in nutrient quantification-- could provide a feasible means for quantifying the …

If You Build It: Using Ground Squirrel Risk Perception To Test Wildlife Crossing Structure Success, Sarah Sanz

All Master's Theses

Roads and traffic present many risks for wildlife, and animals must be able to accurately assess risks in their environment. Animals can often perceive the level of risk they face, and their behavioral responses can alter their fitness and potentially even whole-population dynamics. However, animals may be unable to properly measure the levels of risk near roadways because roads present novel environmental conditions and alter predators’ behavior. To mitigate some of the ecological problems created by roadways, wildlife crossing structures (WCSs) are being incorporated into transportation projects. To understand whether WCSs provide quality habitat for wildlife, we compared the levels …

The Association Of Vitamin D Status In Us Adults With Depression: Nhanes 2011 - 2018, Joshua A. Yearout

All Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

Background: Vitamin D (VD), essential for bone health and various physiological processes, has been increasingly associated with mental health, particularly depression. Depression is the most common and prevalent of disorders regarding mental health. It is influenced by biological, psychological, and socioeconomic factors. This study examines association and the interplay of both vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and depression among adults 18- 70+ residing in the U.S, focusing on disparities across demographic and socioeconomic groups.

Methods: Data was taken from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2018. The present study utilized a cross-sectional analysis included 7,981 participants aged 18 …

Relative Energy Deficiency In Sport: Risk Assessment In Collegiate Female Athletes Using The Reds Cat2 Tool, Kelsea Elizabeth Nunes

All Master's Theses

Context: Alterations in energy intake (EI) and high exercise energy expenditure (EEE) may increase the risk of low energy availability (LEA) in Division II female collegiate ball sport athletes. Furthermore, chronic LEA can transition to problematic LEA, leading to Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs).

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the current severity and prevalence of REDs using the REDs CAT2 Tool and the Female Athlete Triad using the FAT CRA in Division II collegiate female volleyball, basketball, soccer, and rugby athletes.

Design: Cross-sectional design.

Setting: Research laboratory.

Patients or Other Participants …

Characteristics Contributing To The Risk Of Diabulimia In Adults Living In The United States, Danielle L. Van Hout

All Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and factors that contribute to the risk of diabulimia by using the validated Diabetes Eating Problem Survey-Revised (DEPS-R) (Markowitz et al., 2009) screening tool in adults living in the U.S., as well as to examine differences in individuals at-risk and not-at-risk for diabulimia. This observational study involved a 30-question Qualtrics survey containing the DEPS-R distributed via various social media outlets and flyers on the CWU Ellensburg campus. Participants were required to be 18 years or older, diagnosed with T1DM for more than one year, and live in the U.S to …

Focus Group Interview: Perspectives Of Virtual Dietary Counseling Methods Post Covid-19 Pandemic, Maria R. Mendoza

All Master's Theses

In response to the prevalence of morbidity and mortality, studies to avert these conditions in a cost-effective and accessible manner are also increasing. Developing new methods to provide nutrition education that are more accessible is critical to reaching individuals who may experience socioeconomic barriers impacting their ability to access healthcare. The purpose of this study is to examine the perceptions related to different delivery methods of dietary counseling. This qualitative research study will examine the perceptions related to different methods of dietary counseling (telephone calls, video calls, or face-to-face visits). Focus group one contained provider participants (N = 7), which …