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As The Rainstorm Continues, Must We Throw Out The Raincoat Too? Private Enforcement Of Section 2 Of The Voting Rights Act, Derek A. Zeigler

Michigan Law Review

For almost six decades, the Voting Rights Act (VRA) has been a bulwark against the worst impulses of government actors who would rather manipulate the rules to stay in power than vigorously compete on the battleground of ideas. In the modern era, the U.S. Supreme Court has routinely weakened the Act’s protections, including its core remaining enforcement provision, Section 2, which protects voters from racially discriminatory policies. Today, Section 2’s continued vitality is at risk. In November 2023, the Eighth Circuit held that Section 2 lacks an implied private right of action—a decision at odds with three of its sister …

Front Matter

Michigan Law Review

Front Matter for Volume 123, Issue 6 of Michigan Law Review

Educating Caregivers And Parents On Infant Safe Sleep Guidelines In A Rural Community, Melody Hill

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) remains a leading cause of infant mortality, highlighting the need for effective, safe sleep education for caregivers and parents. Key safe sleep guidelines have been shown to reduce SIDS risk by placing infants on their backs to sleep, using firm mattresses, and avoiding soft bedding. However, misconceptions about safe sleep practices persist, making education for caregivers and parents essential. The desired outcome of this project was to significantly enhance the knowledge and behaviors related to infant sleep practices, ensuring that caregivers and parents understand and follow safe sleep guidelines. This project aimed to evaluate the …

Providing Community Education On Opioid Addiction And Emergency Intervention, Chasity Vargas

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Introduction: The opioid crisis remains a significant public health concern, with opioid-related overdoses continuing to rise. Naloxone (Narcan) is a life-saving medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, yet many community members lack awareness and training on its use. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project aimed to implement and evaluate a community-based Narcan education program to improve knowledge, accessibility, and confidence in administering Narcan.

Method: Using a quality improvement framework, the project targeted community members servicing the homeless population. Pre- and post-education surveys assessed changes in participants' knowledge and attitudes toward opioid overdose response.

Results: Findings demonstrated a significant increase …

The Path To Zero Clabsis: The Benefits Of Central Line Care Teams, Supplemental Checklist, Increased Education And Utilizing Clabsi Bundles, Lauren A. Bondurant

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) result in a plethora of deaths each year and cost the U.S. healthcare system billions of dollars (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024). CLABSIs have been a type of bloodstream infection that has affected a plethora of individuals for years and one that does not discriminate patient type. Many articles were reviewed, but they all inferred that CLABSIs bundles,supplemental checklists, and central line care teams all showed the most significant data and resulted in the most decreased CLABSI rates. Upon assessment of the project unit, it was noted that the issue that most impacted …

Sleep Promotion In Neonatal Intensive Care Units, Maelyn G. Cranford

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Sleep is a fundamental requirement for the human body to achieve and sustain overall health and well-being. In Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU), sleep is a vital step in an infant’s routine to allow for proper neurodevelopment and growth. Parents of infants in the NICU may be unaware of the critical role sleep plays in their child’s health. Without realizing it, they can unintentionally disrupt their infant’s sleep by speaking loudly, using bright lights, or playing loud sounds from their phone. This DNP project was created to increase NICU parent education on the importance of sleep promotion and involve them …

Recognizing Opioid Withdrawal: An Educational Intervention To Increase Nurses' Knowledge And Improve Quality Of Patient Care, Keyannah L. Glover

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Opioid abuse, prescription and illicit use, remain a problem in the United States. Recognizing signs and symptoms is important because lack of recognition can lead to misdiagnosis and mismanagement. The target population for this study was nurses in the emergency department. This quality improvement project was developed to provide education to the nurses in the emergency department to recognize opioid withdrawal signs and symptoms. This project evaluated the baseline knowledge of nurses working in the emergency department. The project was implemented over a 3-week time frame. The pre-test was sent out to participants via email to test their baseline knowledge. …

Pantry To Plate: Using Local Food Pantries To Improve Diabetes Self-Care Deficits, Rachelle Zielazienski

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This project aimed to improve food pantry participants’ diabetes self-management and understanding of diabetes nutrition education through a collaborative approach. Over the course of 2 months, the project provided educational resources on diabetes nutrition at a food pantry. The target population included individuals with diabetes, pre-diabetes, and those responsible for preparing meals for diabetic individuals. A certified diabetes specialist was enlisted to ensure the delivery of culturally sensitive, evidence-based educational support tailored to participants’ diabetes health goals. Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory served as a framework for this project. A mixed-methods approach was utilized through pre-and post-test design to gather qualitative …

The Use Of Music Therapy And Various Mechanisms Of Diversion To Aid Caregivers Of Those With Alzheimer’S Disease And Dementia, Sarah Elizabeth Kane

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Background: Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia inhabit an increasingly alarming number of individuals within the United States with the majority of their caregivers being loved ones with limited to no healthcare education. This DNP project was designed to specifically educate caregivers of those with Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. The goal of this project was to increase the knowledge of the disease while also increasing the ability and confidence to better care for their loved ones. In using the resources outlined in this project, such as music therapy and diversional tools, the caregiver would see a decrease in emotional outbursts and …

Increasing The Knowledge And Access To Naloxone (Narcan) For High-Risk Populations, Jessica E. Jones

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This study investigated the knowledge and access to Naloxone (Narcan) in high-risk populations in Robeson County, NC. In order to mitigate the rate of overdose in tribal members who are part of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Indigenous populations have had the highest overdose rate of increase since 2019. In collaboration with CORE Pathways, a quality improvement project was implemented at the Harvest Moon Fall Powwow. Opioid overdose education was provided to voluntary participants, free Naloxone was provided to individuals, along with a created video presentation of Naloxone education. Pre- and post-surveys were utilized to gauge participants' knowledge before …

Providing Safe Care For Mental Health Patients Through Ongoing Education Of Non-Psychiatric Nurses And Staff, Amy Kilpatrick

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Nurses care for many individuals with medical conditions, but also those who suffer from mental illness and are in an acute mental health crisis. Nonpsychiatric nurses often lack adequate knowledge and training while caring for individuals with mental health disorders and those in acute crisis, which can be a barrier to providing safe, effective care for this vulnerable population. When individuals are in crisis and present to the emergency departments, their first contact is with emergency room nurses who may lack the necessary skills to conduct a thorough assessment when evaluating for mental health disorders, including the presence of suicidal …

Educational Sessions On Opioid Use Disorder In A Rural Community: A Faith-Based Approach, Tarrelle Reade

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This scholarly project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a faith-based community education program regarding opioid use disorder (OUD) in a rural area of Person County, North Carolina. Through 4 weekly sessions hosted at Lattisville Grove Missionary Baptist Church, the program provided education on the signs and symptoms of opioid misuse, associated risks, available treatment options, support resources, and the use of Narcan. A pre- and post-survey design using a Likert scale measured changes in knowledge and confidence across five key domains. Data from participants (n = 54 total) showed statistically significant improvements in awareness and self-efficacy in most areas, …

Human Trafficking In The Er: Will You Recognize The Signs?, Lauren Neff

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Current data reveals that 88% of human trafficking (HT) victims seek some form of health care while being trafficked. More specifically, 63% seek care in the emergency department setting (McAmis et al., 2022). A recent literature review indicates that regarding human trafficking and healthcare, there is a lack of awareness and knowledge on the issue. Healthcare team members often have little to no education or knowledge of potential signs and symptoms of a victim in a trafficking situation. The purpose of this DNP project was to increase healthcare staff knowledge of human trafficking (HT) and, more specifically, nurses in an …

Type 2 Diabetes Education And Knowledge In The Adult Hmong Community, Sheng Yang

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Type 2 Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects many individuals, but specifically has been found to significantly affect minority population groups. There has been very limited research regarding understanding the etiology of the disease in the Hmong community that migrated to the United States from Southeast Asia. The purpose of this project was to design and implement an evidence-based, culturally appropriate educational intervention in the Hmong language to increase knowledge of Type 2 Diabetes among the adult Hmong community in Burke County and Catawba County, NC areas. The intervention was delivered to a total of 30 participants who …

Recognizing Adult Male Mental Health Needs: An Intervention Looking At Education In Rural Communities, Eugene W. Winans Jr

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

This DNP Project examined the role of student nurses and their confidence levels when assisting adult male patients experiencing a mental health crisis. The majority of suicide acts are attributed to men. Thus, this subject requires specific insight and instructions when it comes to proper ways to assist these patients. Incorporating evidence from a pre-test and post-test survey, this project demonstrates that student nurses lack confidence in how to deal with men who are experiencing a mental health crisis. The analysis gained from this project demonstrates the important role nurses play in recognizing, speaking to, and assisting in the treatment …

Stress To Success: The Impact Of Aromatherapy On Nursing Students With Test Anxiety, Patricia A. Mullens

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Test anxiety has been identified as a significant problem in pre-licensure nursing students. This project aims to investigate how aromatherapy can alleviate the stress and anxiety associated with lower test scores and the emotional and psychological impacts it has on students' overall well-being. A literature review supported that students who experience test anxiety characteristically scored lower on high-stakes nursing exams than students who did not experience the same stress. The potential results of this project are multifaceted and include improved test scores, enhanced students’ psychological well-being, and completion of their nursing degree.

Overdose Response Training For Volunteers In A Homeless Shelter, Heather Lynne Smallwood

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

The opioid overdose epidemic is a critical health crisis across the country. The homeless population is substantially more at risk of overdose death compared to the general public. Naloxone is a life-saving medication for reversing opioid overdose and is available to ambulance and emergency care services, but support persons are also in regular contact with opioid users and training (Fine et al., 2022). This DNP Project was created to educate volunteers at a homeless shelter in the event of an opioid overdose. The objective of the project was to increase the knowledge of opioid overdose signs and symptoms and naloxone …

Preserving Memories, Building Relationships, Jamie H. Cochran

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

Loneliness among adults aged 65 and older is a significant health concern linked to negative physical and mental outcomes, especially in rural communities. This DNP project implemented a 4-week scrapbooking intervention within a faith-based rural community in North Carolina to reduce feelings of loneliness. Guided by Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, participants engaged in collaborative arts activities designed to foster social connection and emotional expression. The potential results of this project are multifaceted, including improved social engagement, emotional well-being, and strengthened community bonds. The findings support integrating creative, relationship-centered strategies into community nursing practice to enhance well-being among older adults.

Hand Hygiene Education For Personal Care Staff In Congregated Care Settings: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Saunders Noel

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects

For many years, proper hand hygiene has been emphasized as one of the most important defenses in helping to prevent illnesses. The World Health Organization (WHO) is a major organization that stresses the importance of proper hand hygiene and disease prevention. However, hand hygiene education and knowledge must be acquired to successfully utilize the correct steps in combating illnesses and diseases. Hand hygiene is a learned behavior and emphasizing education and awareness is important to successful adoption. This DNP project was implemented to personal care staff in a congregated care setting located in the southeastern part of Virginia. The project …

Fatal Futures: Slow Violence, Utopia, And The Postnatural Human In Contemporary American Literature, Shelby Roberts

Theses and Dissertations--English

Fatal Futures: Slow Violence, Utopia, and the Postnatural Human in Contemporary American Literature investigates the ways in which ideas of futurity are articulated in narratives that conceptualize both the end of the world and post-calamity society through the lens of a pessimistic, queer approach to understanding the future. The purpose of this project is to not only build previous research in the configurations of the body in queer, gothic, and speculative American writing as a whole, but to enter into a developing conversation surrounding Appalachian literature through the idea of kinship (the broadening of relationships both chemical and postnatural) as …

Washington University Magazine, August 2025

Washington University Magazine

No abstract provided.

Spatial Analysis Of American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) Distribution And Ecology In Kentucky’S Federal Lands, Jacob Raymond Pease

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Anthropogenic factors have been the cause of the decline of tree species across the globe. From unsustainable logging and development to disease and improper management, threats to forests have taken their toll. The American chestnut (Castanea dentata) was once an integral basal tree species in Appalachian forests, but chestnut blight drove the species to functional extinction by the mid-1900s. The recent creation of genetically modified chestnuts gives hope for future restoration of the species throughout its historical range. Despite blight resistance, effective restoration will require optimal site selection for finding and planting chestnuts, which will maximize limited resources. …

An Examination Of Middle School Enrollment And Participation In The National Ffa Organization, Melanie Dorminey

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Middle school agricultural education programs and opportunities for middle school students to be members of the National FFA Organization were first made available in 1988. The Perkins V Act of 2018 provided the first federal funding to support middle school career and technical education programs. In conjunction with the federal funding provided by the Perkins V Act of 2018, the National FFA Organization adopted a national middle school membership affiliation program where middle school FFA chapters could pay a flat fee for all students enrolled in middle school agricultural education courses over the traditional membership of paying per individual student. …

The Equitability Of Virtual Public High School Education In Urban School District, Carissa Jury

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Virtual education has become an integral component of modern high school education, particularly in urban districts where diverse student populations require flexible and equitable learning environments. This qualitative study explores the equitability of virtual public high school education in an urban school district, focusing on accessibility, student experiences, and policy implications. Using social constructivism and ecological systems' theory as theoretical frameworks, this research investigates factors influencing equitable outcomes, including access to technology, teacher and community support, and socioeconomic status. Data was collected through structured interviews and focus groups with students and parents engaged in virtual education. Key findings indicate that …

The Correlation Between Working From Home And Depression, Anxiety & Stress And The Moderating Effect Of Parenting, Lauren H. Marshall

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the impact of working from home on depression, anxiety and stress and whether parenting has a moderating role in its impact. The number of individuals working from home increased dramatically because of the pandemic and many individuals continue to work from home despite the absence of government-issued lockdowns and the diminishing threat of the COVID-19 virus. Earlier pre-pandemic research supports several positive work-related outcomes of working from home; however, little consideration has been given to the long-term impact of this major change in the way we work on individual’s mental health. Social isolation, an increase in sedentary …

The Link Between Poor Student Reading Proficiency And College And Career Readiness, James D. Kirkland Iii

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The ability to read proficiently is a skill often considered necessary for the success of an individual while in school and after graduating from high school. Although reading proficiency plays a large role in an individual's success, many students in our nation’s schools struggle to read and comprehend the texts they are presented with in their academic courses. The purpose of this research study was to determine whether a link existed between the reading proficiency and college and career readiness of high school agriculture students. The study used a mixed methods approach that collected both qualitative and quantitative data to …

Master Of Disguise: Humor, Disguise, And Performance Anxiety, Jordan Pearsall

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

This study examined humorous facial disguise in relation to social anxiety during a speech task. Social anxiety is characterized by a strong desire to present a positive image of oneself to others, while simultaneously doubting one’s ability to do so (Clark & Wells, 1995). Performance anxiety is a subtype of social anxiety that affects individuals in various performative contexts, to include public speaking. Previous research has examined the relationship between social anxiety and facial concealment through face-masking (Karimi 2024; Saint & Moscovitch, 2021), concluding that facial concealment can serve as a safety behavior intended to reduce social anxiety. Further, humor …

Out Of The Circle: Exploring Religious Ostracism In Cyberball, Ralph D. Stewart Iii

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychological effects of social ostracism in group settings, particularly in relation to social identity theory (Tajfel & Turner, 1979) and the need to belong (Baumeister & Leary, 1995). Collective self-esteem, hostility, and belonging were examined to see if they changed significantly with the implementation of ostracism through the Cyberball paradigm (Williams, 2000). The relationship between ostracism, hostility, and religious fundamentalism was also explored. Though insignificant results from subsequent analysis were obtained, these results suggest weaker ostracism effects for interpersonal measures rather than intrapersonal measures consistent with findings by Hartgerink et al. …

Essays On Application Of Machine Learning To Financial Statement Fraud, Lin Xia

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation is composed of two studies, both of which revolve around the application of machine learning to financial statement fraud. The first study entitled, “Complementary Role of Algorithm and Theory for Financial Statement Fraud” investigates the nature of relationship of theory building research and machine learning algorithms. Recent research on financial statement fraud has seen an increase in the use of machine learning techniques. While some machine learning based studies build on variables from causal inference research, others claim that machine learning algorithms work better with raw accounting variables and thus cast doubt on the role of …

How Do The Commitments Required To Be An Agricultural Education Teacher Impact The Children Of Female Agricultural Education Teachers As Perceived By Their Children?, Danielle Nicole Grant

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study is to explore how adult children of women agricultural education teachers articulate their experiences growing up with their mother working in the agricultural education field. This will be examined through the following research. The phenomenological study focused on the perceptions of five adult children of female agricultural education teachers in a single state. The research was conducted through recorded virtual interviews with a targeted list of pre-determined questions. Five themes emerged after utilizing Colaizzi’s phenomenological method of analysis: 1) Mother’s Commitment to Implementing the Three Circle Model, 2) The Need for Outside “Maternal” Role Assistance, …