Digital Commons Network^™

From Lawns To Life: Landscaping For Biodiversity On Mason’S Island, Margit Burgess

Open Access Master's Theses

The collapse of biodiversity is an existential threat to life on Earth. Residential landscapes, dominated by open lawns maintained in turfgrass, do not support biodiversity. In the United States, turfgrass has replaced native landscapes in over 40 million acres, with 500 square miles added each year (Tallamy, 2019). Of the 78% of the U.S. land that is privately owned, approximately 135 million acres - nearly twice the size of all national parks combined - are residential (Milesi et al., 2005). With a shift in private landscape management, this land could present a largely untapped opportunity for biodiversity restoration and social …

Alterations Of Serotonin Receptor 7 Expression In The Spinal Cord In A Model Of Cerebral Palsy, Tracy Santos

Open Access Master's Theses

Cerebral palsy often results from perinatal hypoxia-ischemia and is characterized by motor and sensory dysfunction associated with altered serotonergic signaling in the spinal cord. The 5-HT₇ receptor, a G-protein-coupled receptor implicated in both motor control and nociceptive modulation, may thus play a critical role in these post-injury changes. However, the regional and developmental patterns of expression of 5-HT₇ following HI injury are not well understood.

In this study, we investigated the expression of spinal 5-HTR₇ in a neonatal rabbit model of HI injury at P1, P5, and P8 using Western blot analyses normalized to total protein. Tissue was …

Psychosocial Determinants Of Public Transportation Use Among Brazilian And American Users: An Integrated Modeling Approach, Ingrid Luiza Neto, Hartmut Günther, Bryan E. Porter, Taciano L. Milfont, Pastor Willy Gonzales Taco, Caroline Cardoso Machado

Psychology Faculty Publications

Overreliance on cars can promote individual, environmental, economic and social problems, requiring the development of measures to reduce car use and encourage the use of more sustainable transport options. Contributing to this call, here we report a cross-cultural study conducted in Brazil (n = 312) and the United States (n = 518) investigating the applicability of the model of Bamberg and Möser in predicting the use of public transport. Results indicated the model is equivalent across samples, regarding both the measures and the relations between the variables of the model. Intention strongly predicted self-reported public transport behaviour, explaining 70% of …

Drinking Motives And Alcohol Sensitivity Mediate Multidimensional Genetic Influences On Alcohol Use Behaviors, Jeanne E. Savage, Spit For Science Working Group, Danielle M. Dick

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background

Genetic influences account for a substantial proportion of individual differences in alcohol use behaviors (AUBs). However, multiple distinct sets of genes are linked to different AUBs via uncertain causal links. Here, we explore whether intermediate neurobiological traits mediate the relationship between polygenic scores (PGSs) and multiple AUBs, with the aim to better understand processes captured by different genetic profiles.

Methods

We derived four alcohol-related PGSs in participants from Spit for Science, a longitudinal study of college students in the United States (n=4549). Using linear regression, we tested the relationship between PGSs and 22 potential mediators, including personality, …

Exosomes: Historical Evolution And Emerging Roles In Dermatology, Nina Schur, Luna Samman, Milaan Shah, Victoria Dukharan, Carol Stegura, Luke Broughton, Todd Schlesinger

GME Publications

Background: Exosomes are a nanoscale extracellular vesicles derived from different cell types that have been investigated for various clinical applications, including functioning as biomarkers and use as direct therapeutics. Given the role of exosomes in multiple pathophysiologic pathways and potential practical applications, they have garnered significant interest in the scientific community but much is still unknown about their development and use.

Aims: This literature review covers the background, mechanisms of action, use as biomarkers, methods of application, and direct therapeutic applications of exosomes.

Methods: A literature review on the background and uses of exosomes was conducted. Key articles describing the …

First Destination Survey 2025: For Degrees Awarded December 2024-August 2025, Hart Career Center, Illinois Wesleyan University

First Destination Survey

No abstract provided.

Bulletin Of Yale University School Of Nursing 2025-2026, Yale School Of Nursing

Yale School of Nursing Bulletins and Catalogues

Series 121, Number 16

September 5, 2025

Continuous Quality Improvement In Social Needs Screening: Evaluation Of An Intervention In Bariatric Specialty Care, Claire Chang, Samantha Cooley, Bradley Iott, Jordan Greene, Dilhara Muthukuda, Renuka Tipirneni

Student Publications

_{Introduction:}

With growing recognition of the influence that social risks, such as food insecurity and housing instability, have on individual and population health, social risk screening and social care interventions have proliferated across the health system. Social needs intervention research on screening and referral in specialty care is limited, despite evidence that social needs influence access to and outcomes of surgical and specialty care.

_Methods:

This study is a qualitative, formative evaluation of a quality improvement-oriented social needs screening and referral pilot program implemented in a bariatric surgery practice and aims to share lessons related to the structure and process …

Enhancing The Research Enterprise At A Health Sciences University: A Call For An Institutional Paradigm Shift, Bryan G. Beutel, Taryn Bissing, Aaditya Patel, Nicolette Duong, Jan Talley

Student Publications

Background:

There exists a rapidly growing need for a universally robust research enterprise at health sciences universities because of recent changes in the medical education landscape. This study aimed to evaluate student perceptions of (and challenges conducting) research and to implement effective strategies to expose students to enhanced resources and training.

Materials and Methods:

An anonymous survey developed using participatory research methods was disseminated to all students at a graduate health sciences university in 2023. This measured their engagement in research, resource needs, and barriers. Descriptive statistics quantitively analyzed factors that influence student participation in research, perceived benefits, and obstacles …

Emotional Intelligence And Artificial Intelligence In Medical Education: A New Paradigm For Holistic Healthcare, Rasha Eldeeb, Eslam Elnebrisi

Health Professions Education

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into medical education is revolutionizing the training of healthcare professionals, offering advanced tools for diagnostics, personalized learning, and assessment. However, this technological transformation risks overshadowing essential humanistic aspects of healthcare, such as empathy, communication, and ethical reasoning. Emotional intelligence (EI), defined as the ability to recognize and manage emotions effectively, is crucial for delivering patient-centered, compassionate care. This paper argues for a balanced approach that integrates EI and AI within medical curricula, emphasizing their complementary roles. By harnessing AI's efficiency and data-driven capabilities alongside EI's human-centric skills, future healthcare professionals can achieve technical …

A Mixed-Method Study Of Health Care Workers' Attitudes About Interprofessional Collaboration, Wiwik Kusumawati, Nina D Lestari, Dwi Suhartiningtyas, Ika Setyawati, Salmah Orbayinah

Health Professions Education

Purpose. This study examined health professional graduates' views about interprofessional cooperation in healthcare service delivery and the factors that influence their professional collaboration.

Method. Convergent parallel mixed-methods was used. The quantitative component was a cross-sectional survey of 359 Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) graduates (30 general practitioners, 112 nurses, 106 dentists, and 111 pharmacists) who had worked in healthcare for at least one year. Data were obtained using the five-domain Interprofessional Attitudes Scale (IPAS). To analyse quantitative data, descriptive statistics and One-Way ANOVA were utilised. The qualitative component included in-depth interviews with four clinical supervisors from various healthcare institutions …

Active Learning In Respiratory Care Education: A Narrative Review, Tisha Ann Skariah, Udaya Kumar Rao, Manjush Karthika

Health Professions Education

Purpose: This study evaluates the effectiveness of active learning strategies in respiratory care (RC) education, specifically examining their impact on student engagement, critical thinking, and clinical competency to address limitations inherent in traditional passive instructional methods.

Methods: A comprehensive narrative review of peer-reviewed literature was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Thematic analysis was utilized to explore the influence of key active learning methodologies, including simulation-based learning (SBL), flipped classroom (FC), problem-based learning (PBL), and team-based learning (TBL).

Results: The findings demonstrate that active learning approaches significantly enhance clinical decision-making, collaborative skills, and knowledge retention …

Perceptions Of Dental Students On Denture Teeth Arrangement And Digital Support: An Exploratory Study, Bora Lee, Juyeon Hwang, Soo-Yoon Kim, Jong-Eun Kim, Eunbae B. Yang

Health Professions Education

Purpose: This study explored dental students’ perceptions of arranging denture teeth in complete denture cases, the impact of digital support on learning strategies, and differences in their experiences based on whether they had access to digital support.

Methods: In this qualitative case study, a total of 14 students were randomly assigned to either the digital or non-digital support group. The digital group performed digital teeth arrangements, followed by manual tooth arrangements, with access to a 3D viewer, 3D-printed model, and instructor feedback. The non-digital group received only instructor feedback. While the sample size was limited, it is consistent with the …

Quasi-Experimental Study Examining Student Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Healthcare Teams And Experiences With Social Determinants Of Health Through A Virtual Poverty Simulation, Suzanne Greenwalt, Renee Brown, Lindsay Hahn, Missy Bryan, Tamara Lemmonds, David Phillippi

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Highly functioning interprofessional teams are essential for optimal patient care. Interprofessional teams consist of healthcare workers from various disciplines working together to meet the unique needs of each patient, family, and caregiver with the highest level of care possible. Healthcare programs must train students to work and communicate effectively within such teams. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of an interprofessional virtual poverty simulation on students’ attitudes toward interprofessional healthcare teams and experiences with social determinants of health.

Methods: Students from seven health professions participated in a virtual case event. Students worked in interprofessional teams …

Lifestyle Predictors Of Obstructive Sleep Apnea Risk Among Medical Students In Urban Tamil Nadu: A Cross-Sectional Study, Dharani Bhaskaran, Suba Angappan, Chitra Mourali

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a prevalent but underdiagnosed sleep disorder especially among undergraduate medical students. This study aimed to assess the lifestyle habits among undergraduate medical students and their association with risk of OSA in urban part of Tamil Nadu.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 315 undergraduate medical students aged 18-25 years. Data collection was done by using STOP-BANG Questionnaire for OSA risk assessment and a google form-based proforma to evaluate lifestyle habits. Statistical analysis, including the Mann-Whitney U test and Chi-square test, were used to evaluate associations between lifestyle factors and OSA risk.

Results:

The …

Chatgpt Use In Active Learning Among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study., Asma Bouriami, Kamal Takhdat, Sana Barkatou, Abdelmounaim Manoussi, Jaouad Chouikh, Samia Boussaa, Ahmed Rhassane El Adib

Health Professions Education

Purpose: Active pedagogy offers interesting potential for teaching and learning, especially when combined with artificial intelligence tools. The aim of this study is to investigate students' knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, and experiences regarding the use of ChatGPT within active learning methodologies.

Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted using a questionnaire with 913 nursing students from four public higher nursing institutes.

Results: Overall, the majority of participants have a low to medium level of knowledge, even though 79.4% of them use ChatGPT. In fact, Participants use ChatGPT mainly for problem-based learning, and project-based learning. In addition, men students are 1.55 more …

The Power Of Emotional Design In Whiteboard Animation: Enhancing Student Cognition And Engagement, Nora El-Tantawy

Health Professions Education

Background: Whiteboard animation is growing as a teaching tool, particularly in the medical field, because of its potent capacity to engage students and make complex concepts simpler to comprehend. These animations use simple drawings to explain complex ideas in a clear, engaging way. They are unique not only because of their visual appeal but also because of the way they are designed to emotionally engage students. Emotional design includes designing learning experiences that motivate, engage, and interact with learners in addition to presenting information. Discussion: This review discusses the use of emotional design in whiteboard animation and its implications for …

State: The Magazine Of Illinois State University, Winter 2025, Illinois State University, University Marketing And Communications

State: The Magazine of Illinois State University (1999-present)

Illinois State University alumni magazine

The Moral Justifications Of The Justice-Experienced: Recidivism In Dark Triadic Morally Disengaging Offenders, Lacy Parrett

Scripps Senior Theses

Little is known about the cognitions of those who commit violent crimes; even less is known about the justification process of those who reoffend after completing a prison sentence. The proposed study suggests analyzing the moral disengagement strategies and personality traits of incarcerated adults to identify recidivism risk factors. Current literature indicates that nonhomicide violent offenders’ use of moral disengagement cognitions that justify the violation of socially accepted morals will moderate the relationship between psychopathic, Machiavellian, and narcissistic personality traits and offenders’ risks of recidivating. Furthermore, it is anticipated that an interaction will exist between moral disengagement and this so-called …

Empowering Adolescent Females: A Psychological Approach To Sexual Education, Paola Rausseo

Scripps Senior Theses

Adolescence is a pivotal stage of self-discovery, yet many young women lack the tools and knowledge to navigate sexual health confidently. This study implements an intervention rooted in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Social Learning Theory (SLT) to enhance empowerment, self-advocacy, and boundary-setting in adolescent females aged 13–16. The program’s structure incorporates skill-based activities, including role-playing and action planning, to equip participants with practical tools and a safe space to practice these skills. This approach emphasizes addressing psychological and social factors influencing sexual decision-making and seeks to bridge gaps in traditional sexual education. Participants will be recruited from six randomly …

The Association Between Obstetric Violence And Postpartum Depression Among Latina Women In The United States: An Integrative Review, Natalia Alameda

Scripps Senior Theses

Obstetric violence, a structural form of gender-based violence, involves abuse, mistreatment, or neglect by healthcare providers during obstetric care. It is often associated with childbirth trauma and may result in physical and psychological harm to mothers and children, including postpartum depression. Postpartum depression is a major depressive episode occurring during pregnancy or within four weeks following delivery. While these concepts are often studied independently, few studies examine their intersection, particularly among Latina women in the United States. To address this gap, an integrative literature review was conducted to explore the association between obstetric violence and postpartum depression among Latina women. …

Let's Talk About Sex: Investigating Radical Feminist Theories On Prostitution In The United States, Anna E. Peterson

Scripps Senior Theses

This paper explores the feminist debates surrounding prostitution through an analysis of Catharine MacKinnon and Andrea Dworkin’s abolitionist theories, juxtaposed with critiques from Wendy Brown, Janet Halley, Susie Bright, and Marxist feminist abolitionist Esperanza Fonseca. The text examines the systemic forces of patriarchy and capitalism that commodify women’s bodies and the challenges of legislative approaches to the sex trade. While MacKinnon and Dworkin identify the structural inequalities underpinning prostitution, their legislative proposals often fail to address the stigma and systemic conditions that perpetuate the marginalization of prostituted people. Critics like Brown and Halley highlight the limitations of punitive measures, calling …

Sense Of Belonging And Perceptions Of Learning In An Introductory College Course, Ellen Wang

Scripps Senior Theses

A sense of belonging (SB) – the feeling of deep connection with social groups, places, and experiences – has been described as a fundamental, pervasive need among humans (Allen et al., 2021; Baumeister & Leary, 1995). SB, and lack thereof, predicts myriad mental, physical, social, and economic outcomes. Belonging is a complex, multidimensional concept with a breadth of research across disciplines. It has been applied to school contexts in association with academic and psychosocial outcomes. The researcher partnered with an undergraduate course at The Claremont Colleges, and administered electronic surveys at two time points of the course. Students' sense of …

Bright-Lines In Sentencing: A Legal And Moral Case Against Juvenile Life-Without-Parole, Mckenzie Reily Isaac

Scripps Senior Theses

This paper criticizes the Supreme Court of the United States for its holding in Jones v. Mississippi (2021): the Eighth Amendment does not require a sentencing authority to find that a juvenile is "permanently incorrigible" before it may impose a sentence of life-without-parole. This ruling circumvents stare decisis as it undermines the substantive protections established in Miller v. Alabama (2012) and Montgomery v. Louisiana (2016), while purporting to preserve them. Not only is circumvention of stare decisis a failure of the Court's judicial duty, it is also a profound moral failure. This paper deploys Ronald Dworkin's law as integrity to …

Punishing Violence, Shima Baradaran Baughman

American University Law Review

The American criminal justice system doles out the harshest punishments in the world. It is infamous for its protracted criminal sentences and prodigious criminal code. But what most scholars and policymakers overlook is that the United States punishes only a fraction of the total serious crime that occurs in the country—including violent crime.

Approximately twenty million serious crimes occur in America each year, but only about half of these are reported to police. Of those reported, the police make arrests for an average of only twenty percent of serious crimes, and only ten percent of arrests result in a conviction. …

College Courts: Administrative Abuse Of Title Ix And Its Consequences, Noah Bloomberg

MC Law Review

This article examines the contentious application of Title IX in addressing campus sexual assault, tracing its evolution through recent presidential administrations. Initially designed to combat sex-based discrimination in education, Title IX has been expansively interpreted to regulate university adjudication of sexual violence cases. Policies introduced during the Obama administration mandated quasi-judicial procedures, sparking debates over fairness and due process, while Trump-era reforms shifted focus toward protecting the rights of accused students, prompting criticism from victims' advocates. The article argues that these approaches have overstepped Title IX's intended purpose, burdening universities and creating systemic challenges for survivors and the accused alike. …

Leveraging Artificial Intelligent For Optimized Crop Production: An Ann-Based Approach, Yahya Layth Khaleel, Fadya A. Habeeb, Mustafa Abdulfattah Habeeb, Fatimah N. Ameen

Mesopotamian Journal of Computer Science

To incite modern day crop production and ensure sustainability, exact crop recommendations are key to the process. This study pays significant attention to the need for the use of big data tools in studies involving comprehensive data sets that contain information on soil and other environmental characteristics. The set of data used in this research includes Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium content coordinated with Temperature, Humidity, pH Value, and Rainfall. Knowing these factors is to make a favorable decision about improving agricultural products yield, availability and management of the resources, as well as general well-being of the crops. Specialized advisory on …

Models Of Machine Learning To Diagnose Chronic Kidney Disease Using A  Weka-Based Classifier, Shaymaa Adnan Abdulrahman, Sameerah Faris Khlebis

Mesopotamian Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

In the present day, humans are confronted with a variety of diseases as a result of their lifestyle and the current environmental conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to identify and predict these diseases in their early phases in order to prevent their severe manifestations. Manually identifying maladies is a challenging task for physicians on a regular basis. Predicting chronic illnesses is the aim of this article. This goal is applicable through a state-of-the-art approach to classification correctly identifies people with chronic illnesses. Predicting maladies is also a difficult endeavor. Therefore, disease prediction is significantly influenced by data mining. To get …

Artificial Intelligence-Powered Robotic Technology For Transforming Palliative Care, Adebo Thomas, Asiku Denis, Wamusi Robert, Simon Peter Kabiito, Zaward Morish, Aziku Samuel, Malik Sallam, Ioannis Adamopoulos

Mesopotamian Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Palliative care seeks to improve the quality of life of patients with life-threatening illnesses by addressing their physical, emotional, and psychological needs. However, global challenges such as workforce shortages, limited access to specialized care, and inconsistent care quality demand innovative solutions. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI)-powered robotics offer transformative potential to overcome these barriers and strengthen palliative care delivery. This study explores how AI-driven robotic technologies support palliative care through applications in symptom monitoring, clinical decision-making, emotional companionship, and personalized care planning. It reviews cutting-edge robotic systems, including assistive, companion, diagnostic, nursing, procedural, service, and rehabilitation robots. Enabled by machine …

Heartbeat Sound Classification Using Mel-Spectrogram And Cnn Optimized By Frilled Lizard Algorithm For Cardiovascular Disease Detection, Ahmed T. Alhasani, Zainab H. Albakaa, Shahad A. Alabidi, Osamah Qasim Abd Zaid Gburi, Ammar Kadi, Irina Potoroko

Mesopotamian Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be the predominant cause of mortality globally, underscoring the critical necessity for prompt and precise diagnostic techniques.  This paper introduces an innovative machine learning framework for categorizing heartbeat sounds into four classifications—normal, murmur, additional heart sound, and artifact—utilizing audio recordings from the PhysioNet/CinC Challenge 2016 dataset.  The methodology employs Mel-Spectrograms and Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCCs) for feature extraction, converting raw heart sound data into comprehensive time-frequency representations.  A Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) is utilized for classification, with its hyperparameters refined by the recently developed Frilled Lizard Optimization (FLO) method, a bio-inspired metaheuristic that emulates the …