Digital Commons Network^™

Cultivating A Community-Based Food System In Western Montana, Elaina Lamphere

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Increasing Awareness Of Occupational Therapy For College Students At Dominican University Of California, Joshua James King Ng, Connor Efstathiu, Audrey Nakashima, Rylee Sarasua, Katie Szoboszlay

Occupational Therapy | MSOT Capstone Projects

Background: This project is the third iteration of the Occupational Therapy (OT) college student program at Dominican University of California aiming to promote OT Coaching services for students while enhancing occupational engagement in daily activities, and overall well-being. Occupational therapists play a distinctive role in postsecondary education (AOTA, 2013).The second iteration of the OT college student program (2022–2023) prioritized collaboration with the school’s Student Success Center (SSC) and on-campus Integrative Coaches (ICs) who played a pivotal role in streamlining client referrals and enhancing the program outcomes. During their time with the program, this group was able to flagship a program …

The Supreme Court During Covid-19: Keeping Its Head When Those About It Were Losing Theirs, Timothy C. Macdonnell

South Dakota Law Review

Alexander Hamilton's Federalist No. 78 suggests that one of the reasons for a life-tenured judiciary whose pay cannot be altered is because "judges may be an essential safeguard against the effects of occasional ill humours in the society." Our Nation's history is replete with instances of ill humor leading to violations of constitutional rights. Wars, epidemics, natural disasters, civil unrest, and economic crises all demand governments to act and act swiftly. But courts, and particularly the United States Supreme Court, are necessary to check governments when they go too far in contending with an emergency. Historically the country's courts have …

Associations Between Brain White Matter Hyperintensities And Diet Quality In Cognitive Aging: A Cross-Sectional Assessment, Carla V. Urdaneta

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Leukoaraiosis, or White Matter Lesions (WMLs)/White Matter Hyperintensities (WMHs), are often considered markers of aging and neurodegeneration. White matter hyperintensities appear as lighter, hyperintense regions on T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and are physiologically characterized as demyelination and axonal loss reflected as microvascular lesions in cerebral white matter (Marseglia et. al., 2019). These anatomical landmarks are most seen in MRIs of elderly individuals. They can be associated with aging and cognitive decline, including affected frontal lobe function and episodic memory in the form of delayed recall performance and are linked to several cardiovascular risk factors, …

Does Money Matter? An Analysis Between Per-Student Funding And Its Link To Student Achievement In Florida, Chloe Zwetschkenbaum

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This study examined the relationship between per-student funding and student achievement within four counties in the state of Florida (Clay County, Duval County, Flagler County, and St. Johns County) and whether higher per-student funding resulted in higher student achievement. Florida recently changed from the usage of the Common Core Standards to the Florida Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) and from the Florida State Assessment (FSA) to the Florida Assessment of Student Thinking (F.A.S.T.) test in 2022 (Sabina, Hartikka, and Viola, 2023). This research focused funding on the results of the F.A.S.T. test and the per-student funding of each district …

Examining The Effect Of A High Fat Diet On The Expression Of Adipokines In A Murine Model Of Barrett's Esophagus, Saagar A. Shah

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Chronic acid reflux results in injury to the esophagus and the development of Barrett’s Esophagus (BE). BE elevates the lifetime risk for a patient to develop Esophageal Adenocarcinoma (EAC). Clinically, one of the main risk factors for BE and EAC is obesity, which alters the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by adipocytes, also referred to as adipokines. Conflicting reports have been made to the expression of adipokines and their receptors in the progression to esophageal cancer. Utilizing an inflammation-based mouse model for BE, we hypothesize that alterations in the expression of adipokines and their receptors favor an inflammatory environment associated with …

The Association Between Implicit Bias From Healthcare Providers And Postpartum Depression Among Black Women., Chelsea T. Costa

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Postpartum depression is one of the most common issues that women face after birth. Many different factors can contribute to the development of postpartum depression, including perinatal complications, prenatal depression, or social factors. One of the social factors that Black women, specifically, face leading to postpartum depression is discrimination. The purpose of this literature review is to identify research that focuses on whether implicit bias and discrimination by healthcare providers contributes to postpartum depression among Black women. A literature review was conducted using databases including CINHAL Plus Text, CINHAL ULTIMATE, Medline, and APA Psycinfo, with terms that included “healthcare provider* …

Addressing Barriers In The Primary Prevention Of Hypertension In Black People, Makalah Pierre Rn Bsn

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Hypertension is a significant health concern among minority groups, and the black population is most at risk (Abrahamowicz et al., 2023). The black population experience higher prevalence rates of hypertension compared to other racial groups and are more likely to experience hypertension-related problems, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD).  This literature review explores various nursing interventions aimed at preventing hypertension within this population. In this review, the term “black people or persons” is a broad term used to describe both African Americans and people of Afro-Caribbean decent. This includes various backgrounds such as Haitian, Jamaican, or otherwise …

The Relationship Between Autistic Features And Identity Development Processes Among College Students Through An Intersectional Lens, Alejandra Santana

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Research on autistic features and identity development has indicated that autistic traits are positively associated with identity disturbance (Ratner & Berman, 2015). Characteristic attributes of autism, including circumscribed interests and impairments in social relatedness, align with self-rumination and hardships engaging in the components of identity formation (Gotham et al., 2014). Nonetheless, research on this topic remains scarce. The present study analyzed the association between autistic features and identity formation processes while considering sociocultural factors, such as gender conformity and social camouflaging. A sample of college students enrolled in a large metropolitan city (N = 427) was recruited to complete …

The Role Of Social Media And Acculturation In Body Comparison, Body Dissatisfaction, And Eating Pathology Among Hispanic And Latinx Individuals, Mariana Ortega

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Eating disorders are a group of mental health conditions that are characterized by complex etiologies. The development of eating disorders varies across each individual and their personal background. The current study examined the relationship between levels of acculturation and daily social media use on the presence of body comparison, body dissatisfaction, and eating pathology in Hispanic and Latinx individuals. The aim of this study is to investigate how these factors may lead to a unique etiology of disordered eating, specific to this ethnic group. The current study consisted of two phases. The first phase determined participant eligibility by confirming ethnic …

Evaluating Coffee And Caffeine Intake In Adults With Cardiovascular Disease: A Comparative Literature Review, Adam Harrington

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Coffee is among the most commonly consumed beverages worldwide, and its bioactive components, including caffeine, affect the cardiovascular system through multiple physiological mechanisms. Patients with cardiovascular disease are typically advised to limit coffee and caffeine consumption because of potential cardiovascular harm, but emerging research challenges this recommendation. This review evaluates recent evidence regarding consumption of whole coffee, caffeine, or decaffeinated coffee in adults with established cardiovascular disease. Database searches conducted across three platforms for studies published after December 2021 yielded 360 records. Following screening against inclusion criteria, 11 studies were reviewed included in the final review. The studies showed variable …

Effect Of Implementing An Educational Program About Post Kidney Transplant Care On Critical Care Nurses' Knowledge, Marwa Abdo, Asmaa Ibrahim Aboseda

Nursing

Background: Critical care nurses (CCNs) play a pivotal role in post-kidney transplant care, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of transplantation procedures, complications, and patient management. So, any knowledge gaps among CCNs may impact the quality of care provide to kidney transplant program. Aim: This study aimed to assess the effect of implementing an educational program about post-kidney transplant care on critical care nurses’ knowledge. Methods: A quasi-experimental study was conducted among 50 critical care nurses. A structured educational program was implemented, and nurses’ knowledge was assessed pre- program, post- program, and three months follow-up. Data was collected using a kidney transplantation …

Gender Equality And Social Capital Empowerment Of Rural Women, Nuraedah Nuraedah, Syamsul Bahri -

Masyarakat: Jurnal Sosiologi

This study explores the role of social capital in empowering rural women, focusing on how social networks, trust, and community norms contribute to gender equality and women's decision-making. Despite the recognition of gender equality as a fundamental right, rural women continue to face structural barriers that limit their access to resources and opportunities. By examining the interaction between social capital and women's empowerment, this research aims to fill the gap in understanding the mechanisms that support women's empowerment in rural areas. The research adopts a qualitative approach, utilizing in-depth interviews with 30 women from various villages in Indonesia, complemented by …

Barriers To Healthcare Utilization Among Undergraduate Students: A Gender Identity Perspective, Akhila Damarla

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The transition to college can be a crucial period of one’s life as one gains new and increased responsibilities, including managing their own healthcare. Although campus health services are available, undergraduate students have been found to often underutilize these resources due to barriers such as financial instability, lack of insurance, and identity-based disparities. While examining the current literature on this topic,there is a gap in exploring how the role of gender identity interacts with these barriers. This study addresses this gap by analyzing secondary data from the American College Health Association’s National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA). Results revealed that transgender …

Examining The Best Dietary And Lifestyle Interventions To Prevent Hyperinsulinemia And Insulin Resistance In Women With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Erica C. Morman

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex reproductive and metabolic disorder that affects up to 15% of women, contributing to insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia, risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The interconnected hormonal and metabolic disruptions in PCOS create a feedback loop that exacerbates symptoms, making dietary and exercise interventions critical in its management. This literature review evaluates the efficacy of various dietary interventions including the ketogenic diet, high-protein diet, low-carbohydrate diet, and high-fiber diet, as well as exercise interventions such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT), resistance training, and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise. Results found that modifying carbohydrate intake, and increasing fiber …

Investigating The Effect Of Artificial Sweeteners On Fitness And Metastasis In Drosophila Melanogaster, Om R. Patel

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Artificial sweeteners are widely used sugar substitutes, yet their potential effects on health remain poorly understood. For example, more evidence suggests that frequent consumers of sugar substitutes may also be at increased risk of excessive weight gain, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes, which contradicts the original purpose of artificial sweeteners. This thesis investigates the impact of artificial sweeteners on health using Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism, focusing on three key areas: viability, excretion, and cancer metastasis. Viability assays revealed that flies exposed to artificial sweeteners exhibited a decrease in progeny, with some concentrations increasing progeny but most decreasing …

Post-Translational Modification Of The Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor By Serine Proteases, Matthew E. Ruiz

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Hypercholesterolemia is a disease affecting many Americans and adults worldwide and can lead to further complications such as atherosclerosis, stroke, or pulmonary embolisms making it a major risk factor for heart disease. The disease states are caused by chronically elevated levels of VLDLs that get broken down into LDLs. Cells expressing the LDLR can endocytose LDLs from the blood for use intracellularly as cholesterol and prevent plasma cholesterol deposition in the endothelium. Current treatments include leading healthier lifestyles through dieting and exercise, or pharmacological treatments targeting cellular cholesterol production or dietary cholesterol uptake from the GI tract. The SREBPs are …

The Effects Of Nurse-Led Physical Activity On The Aging Population, Kaitlyn P. Carruba

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The aging population in the United States is increasing in proportion, yet older adults' physical activity levels have not increased much. The lack of physical activity leads to numerous health complications, such as an increased risk for cardiovascular disease, increased risk for falls and fractures, as well as lead to obesity and diabetes. Unfortunately, few healthcare facilities monitor or audit physical activity. Older adults are frequently placed on fall risk precautions, which heavily encourages a sedentary hospital stay. This commonly leads to older adults with declining abilities to accomplish their activities of daily living (ADLs) after hospitalization. Nurses, spending the …

Oral Health In Long-Term Care Facilities: A Systematic Review, Eman Zaman

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Oral health in long-term care facilities (LTCFs) is becoming an increasing concern as the older population grows bigger. The oral hygiene of residents in nursing homes is deteriorating which may attribute to lack of education given to caregivers. A literature review was conducted using electronic databases such as PubMed, ProQuest, and PsychINFO to explore oral health in LTCFs and workforce’s roles in providing oral care. Findings across eight studies highlight the inadequate care residents are receiving due to several barriers resulting poor oral health outcomes. Oral health is not prioritized because caregivers are not educated on the consequences it may …

A Systematic Review Of Dietary Trends, Influencing Factors, And Their Impacts On Cardiovascular Health In Turkish Populations, Pelin L. Özoğlu

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death globally, including in Türkiye. One key factor influencing CVD prevention is dietary patterns, which directly impacts cardiovascular health. Türkiye traditionally follows the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet), which is acclaimed for its cardiovascular benefits. Despite this, Türkiye continues to experience high rates of CVD, with projections indicating that CVD mortality will double for both men and women by 2030. It is crucial to address diet-related factors, including potential nutritional deficiencies, to reduce cardiovascular health risks.

This research aims to analyze the Turkish community's adherence to the Mediterranean diet to understand why CVD prevalence …

The Effects Of School-Based Menstruation Education Programs On Anxiety And Self-Efficacy In Adolescent Girls: A Systematic Review, Hannah C. Hart

Honors Undergraduate Theses

A significant global knowledge gap exists for adolescent girls regarding what constitutes a healthy menstrual cycle, proper menstrual hygiene practices, and the implications of reproductive maturity that is ushered in by menarche. This limited understanding can lead to poor health outcomes and the development of negative sentiments and beliefs surrounding the normal experience of menstruation.

This systematic review aims to comprehensively investigate the current state of research regarding the effects of school-based, formal menstruation education programs on adolescent girls, particularly the effects on anxiety and self-efficacy related to the management of menstruation. Furthermore, this work aims to take a stance …

Role Of C4 Resources In Isotopic Variability In Diet Among Children From Kellis 2 Cemetery, Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt, Faith R. Hendrix

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Using stable carbon isotope analysis, this study investigates dietary diversity in children buried at the Kellis 2 Cemetery (c. AD 50–450) in Egypt's Dakhleh Oasis. From the analysis of δ¹³C isotope values in hair keratin and bone collagen, the study reconstructs short-term and long-term dietary signals in juvenile and adult subjects. The aim is to clarify the role of C₄ plants—particularly millet—in weaning and childhood diets in a Romano-Christian Egyptian village context. A total of 631 segmented hair and 54 bone collagen samples were analyzed from 127 juveniles and 97 adults. Juvenile individuals (i.e., under 15 years biological age) showed …

Starch Analysis Of Shell Tools From The Penny Plot Site (8br158) For The Cape Canaveral Archaeological Mitigation Project, Alaina Waldo

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Shell tools have a history of being used in the processing and usage of plant foods and materials in past cultures. This study looks at starch residue analysis obtained from shell tools retrieved at site 8BR158 during excavations by the Cape Canaveral Archaeological Mitigation Project (CCAMP) in Cape Canaveral, Florida. This research hopes to expand the understanding and usage of shell tools and to gain a clearer picture of plant usage and environmental interactions of earlier inhabitants along the East Coast of Florida through starch grain analysis. Eleven shell tools were analyzed for starch residues, with six showing evidence of …

Development Of A Proposed Selective Medium For The Isolation And Differentiation Of P. Sordellii, Dimyana Bottros

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Clostridium, a genus of anaerobic, spore-forming bacteria, includes clinically and ecologically significant species like Clostridium difficile and Paeniclostridium sordellii. C. difficile causes antibiotic-associated colitis, while P. sordellii is linked to fatal infections and spontaneous abortions. Recent studies found both species in marine sediments, suggesting their role in environmental and wildlife health disturbances, including the 2013 mass mortality of over 300 manatees in the Indian River Lagoon. However, isolating and differentiating P. sordellii is challenging due to the lack of selective media optimized for its growth. This thesis proposes a novel selective medium tailored to P. sordellii’s physiological …

Propositional Conditioning Of Direct Religious Perception In John Wesley's Epistemology Of Salvation, Kenny Johnston

Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers

No abstract provided.

Plantation Matters: The Black Production Of Space In Southeastern Louisiana, 1830 To 1912, Noura Jabir

Pomona Senior Theses

Taking one Louisiana sugar plantation as a starting place, I demonstrate how African-descended laborers created life-sustaining spaces within/beyond the death-driving plantation complex during and after slavery.

January 2025 News, Office Of Sustainability

Office of Sustainability Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Ultra-Processed Food Intake And Dietary Intake Behaviors In Young Adults, Alexandra Black Larcom

Open Access Dissertations

Ultra-processed food (UPF) intake has been positively associated with adverse health outcomes and poor diet quality (DQ). UPFs tend to be of lower nutritional quality (NQ) than less processed foods, though NQ varies widely within each category of food processing. Young adults are the highest consumers of UPF, but UPF intake and related behaviors have not been examined in college students, a key subset of young adults. UPF overconsumption at meals has been proposed as a mechanism for the association between UPF intake, poor DQ, and adverse health outcomes, though no existing studies have considered NQ. Further, consumer understanding of …

Nourishing Community Health, Levit Cantu

IdeaFest 2025

Open Door Health Centers is a nonprofit community clinic that provides affordable, accessible healthcare to underserved populations. As a College Corps Fellow, I work with the Member Services department, specifically supporting gardens and food resources. My role focuses on increasing access to fresh, healthy food through community garden initiatives and resource navigation. This experience has allowed me to support food security efforts while gaining insight into the intersection of health, nutrition, and community service.

Nourishing Communities, One Meal At A Time, Hanna Valentin, Ulises Godinez, Rah Camacho Ruiz, Petrita Rodriguez

IdeaFest 2025

Food banks around the country are working to alleviate hunger and improve food security for low-income families, seniors, and children through distribution programs and nutrition education. This poster explores the vital role that food banks play in our community and examines how federal budget cuts - especially to SNAP and TEFAP - threaten its ability to serve those in need. By highlighting both research and community data, this project underscores the urgent need to support local food systems and advocate for sustainable food assistance programs.