Digital Commons Network^™

Transformative Experiences, Anticipatory Regret, And Informed Consent, Elizabeth Lanphier, Shannon Fyfe

Scholarly Articles

Regret risk is not consistently part of information sharing within informed consent. Yet two kinds of decisions that often invoke concerns about future regret, abortion and sterilization, raise considerations for the role of regret in clinical decision-making and informed consent, particularly regarding decisions about potentially transformative experiences. We distinguish between first-personal and second-personal anticipatory regret and argue that first-personal anticipatory regret can play a productive role, but second-personal anticipatory regret can function in ways that are pernicious. Introducing second-personal anticipatory regret into medical informed consent processes is, we argue, not only not required for informed medical decision-making, but impermissible within …

State Legislatures And Trans* Genocide (?) In The United States, Shannon Fyfe

Scholarly Articles

Certain state legislatures in the United States have targeted trans* people and other members of the queer community through an onslaught of legislative efforts since early 2020. Many of these efforts have targeted trans* youth specifically, by banning or limiting their access to gender-affirming care. As I have shown, gender-affirming care is necessary health care for trans* youth and is crucial for their mental and physical health and well-being. Some have argued that these legislative efforts targeting trans* youth are genocidal, that they are intentionally aimed at destroying the trans* community. I agree that the harm experienced by the trans* …

Persistent Symptoms In Endoscopic Remission: Social Determinants & Non-Medical Interventions In Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, Hang Phuong Nguyen

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD) are chronic gastrointestinal disorders, namely Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), affecting ~1.6 million people in the U.S. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding may persist even when endoscopic and histologic findings appear normal (i.e., endoscopic-histologic remission). However, the prevalence of GI symptoms despite endoscopic-histologic mucosal healing remains unclear. Additionally, there is limited research on the impact of non-clinical factors, such as social determinants of health (SDOH), on persistent GI symptoms in patients with endoscopic remission. SDOH refers to conditions in environments—including, but not limited to, housing, transportation, neighborhoods, income, …

Website Accessibility Of Largest Health Insurers In Medicare Advantage Market, Alicia Stephan

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Website accessibility is essential to ensure equitable healthcare access, especially for individuals with disabilities. This study evaluated the accessibility of health insurance websites for the ten largest Medicare Advantage insurers by market share. Using three free, publicly available automated accessibility checkers—WAVE, Axe-Core, and Skilltide—we systematically identified five URLs per insurer based on specific webpage keywords. These tools adhere to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1 Level AA, the technical standard referenced in the most recent U.S. legislation.A total of 1,223 accessibility errors were identified across 50 webpages, with Skilltide detecting the most errors (588), followed by WAVE (502) …

Evaluating Nebulizer Efficiency For Phage Therapy In Drug-Resistant Pseudomonas Infections, Daniel Thompson

Yale Medicine Thesis Digital Library

Background

The global rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa necessitates novel therapeutic approaches, particularly for patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Bacteriophage therapy, delivered via inhalation, offers a targeted and potentially transformative treatment for pulmonary infections caused by MDR pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nebulizer type and bacteriophage morphology on viable phage recovery and aerosol particle size distribution, hypothesizing that nebulizer-phage compatibility significantly influences the delivery of viable phages to the lower respiratory tract.

Methods

We conducted an in vitro study utilizing two clinically relevant nebulizer systems: the Pari LC Plus jet nebulizer and the Altera eFlow …

Cosmic Redemption And Christology: The Timeless Christ-Hymn Of Colossians, Rinah Fiol

Beets Paper Contest

The letter to the Colossians, a nominally Pauline letter whose authorship is disputed, presents an intricate message about the supremacy of Christ and the cosmic reconciliation He mediates. Specifically, it contains a beautiful Christ-hymn in Col. 1:15-20, which holds critical implications for viewing the identity of Christ and the scope of redemption. In examining scholarly conversations on the language and message of the Christ-hymn, these questions can be more fully understood and applied to Christian life regardless of time and place.

Tracing The Dry Line: A Historiographical And Pedagogical Inquiry To American Prohibition And The Politics Of Belonging, Abigail Carney

History - Master of Arts in Teaching

I. Synthesis Essay ................................…………...7

II. Primary Sources with Headnotes………………29

III. Textbook Critique………………………………..41

IV. New Textbook Entry…………………………….45

Culture Of Disease: A Historiographical Review Of The Black Death, Jack Bamford

History - Master of Arts in Teaching

I. Synthesis Essay ………………………………2

II. Document Selection ………………………. 22

III. Textbook Critique…………………………...32

IV. Original Textbook Entry…………………... 36

Childhood Trauma And The Emergence Of Precognitive Abilities: A Correlational Study, Kirsten Cameron, Jenny Wade

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies Advance Publication Archive

This study addresses the scientific tendency to misattribute the higher levels of belief in extra-sensory perception (ESP) of adult survivors of childhood trauma to cognitive errors when they may be a result of actual experience with ESP. Dissociative tendencies may contribute to precognition, which would be an adaptive skill for children living in unpredictable and traumatic environments. This study investigated the correlation between self-reported childhood abuse and neglect and precognitive abilities in 227 adults. The participants completed the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, comprising subscales measuring emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, and physical and emotional neglect, and completed four online tasks measuring …

Alteplase Vs. Tenecteplase: Comparing Health Outcomes Following Thrombolytic Administration In Acute Ischemic Stroke, Brittany Taubman

The PA Department Journal of Medical Science

Introduction: Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) results in death of brain tissue necessitating prompt intervention to restore blood flow and minimize neurological damage. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA), specifically alteplase, has long been the standard treatment for AIS. However, recent research explores the potential advantages of tenecteplase, an alternative thrombolytic agent.

Methods: PubMed was searched, utilizing free text, randomized control trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses from 2019-2024. The literature search yielded four relevant results to include in this review comparing tenecteplase and alteplase, focusing on efficacy, safety, and overall clinical outcomes.

Results: All four articles reviewed were systematic reviews and meta-analyses focusing …

Cooperative Extension Service Records, Sdsu Archives And Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library

University Archives

The Smith-Lever Act of 1914 established a national agricultural extension system, which was implemented at South Dakota State College, building on earlier efforts like Farmers' Institutes. Over time, the service expanded to provide personalized assistance to farmers, youth programs like 4-H, and specialized technical expertise in various agricultural fields.

This collection documents the Cooperative Extension Service's work in South Dakota, including Administrative Records, such as annual reports, impact statements, and the service's history and philosophy. It features 4-H Publications, including guides and historical materials, as well as Personnel Communications distributed to Extension staff. News Releases cover outreach efforts from 1939 …

Investigating The Interactions Between Elm1 And Hsl7 In The Morphogenesis Checkpoint Of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Rachel Foster

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Cell shape is essential to understanding the normal regulatory processes that occur within the cell and can indicate there are abnormalities present when there is dysfunction in the cell's development, which can have broader implications regarding human disease. The morphogenesis pathway couples cell division to the timely formation of a daughter bud in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and consists of Elm1, Hsl1, Hsl7, and Swe1 proteins which interact with septins at the bud neck to provide stability for the bud and to facilitate cell division. Elm1 is needed for the recruitment of Hsl1 and subsequently Hsl7. Hsl7 will then tether Swe1 to …

The Relationship Between Sleepiness, Dopamine, And Food Impulsivity, Rae Mears, Katherine Blaire, Maria Duque, Dayton Keffer, Sofia Taylor, Ally Tingen

Research and Creativity Symposium

This research investigates the role of sleepiness and dopamine function (measured by spontaneous eye blink rate; sEBR), in impulsive action toward food stimuli. Analysis of Go/NoGo performance suggests that participants were more impulsive toward food stimuli compared to non-food stimuli. In addition, there was a curvilinear relationship between sleepiness and high calorie NoGo accuracy, where those who were moderately sleepy tended to be most impulsive. sEBR did not correlate to either sleepiness or Go/NoGo performance.

Debating Member-Checks Of Exceptional Human Experiences, James Houran, Everton De Oliveira Maraldi, Beth M. Houran

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

This integrative essay reflects on member-checking and engaged research approaches in the study of exceptional human experiences (EHEs)—subjective accounts that often challenge conventional views of consciousness and physical reality. Member-checking, or inviting research participants to review data or interpretations, can improve credibility by aligning research with their lived experience. While benefits include transparency and insight, risks include confirmatory bias, emotional distress, power asymmetries, and logistical complexity. The evolving nature of EHEs further complicates participant validation. We therefore advocate a six-level "fit-for-purpose" system to balance rigor with ethical care and responsiveness. We also explore digital, asynchronous, and AI-assisted strategies to enhance …

Integral And Transpersonal Education, Heidi Fraser Hageman

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

N/A

Teaching In The Transpersonal Paradigm, Christopher M. Bache

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

This article explores the transpersonal dynamics of teaching by presenting two core themes of The Living Classroom: 1) the synchronicities and energetic resonances that radiated invisibly around me as my spiritual practice deepened over time and 2) the “learning fields” that surround well-taught courses—fields of collective consciousness that can trigger new insights and powerful transformations in our students.

Transpersonal Education: A Glimmer Of Light To Compulsory Education?, Scott Buckler, Harriett Moore

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

Arguably transpersonal education is still in its infancy in relation to defining the area and from this, implementing into practice. While broad themes exist, such themes tend to apply to graduate or postgraduate education. The purpose of this article is to revisit definitions of transpersonal education in relation to compulsory schooling (elementary school through to the end of secondary school). From this, a series of principles and practices have been identified and presented to educators and students for validation purposes. Although a range of transpersonal practices are discussed, the implementation of a martial art inspired ‘Mindful Movement Program’ is introduced …

Teaching For Transpersonal Learning, Paul F. Cunningham

International Journal of Transpersonal Studies

This article addresses the “why,” “what,” and “how” of teaching for transpersonal learning. Why transpersonal education is relevant for addressing modern social problems and the global ecological crisis, what it is like to teach for transpersonal learning, and how transpersonal learning becomes transformative are discussed. Three promising options in technology and consciousness studies for transpersonal learning—transpersonal media, multistate studies, and entheogenic education—are described and the challenges of introducing transpersonal education into academic settings and assessing educational (student) learning outcomes are reviewed. The relevance of Mezirow’s Transformation Theory to transpersonal educational psychology, with special attention to ecological perspective transformation, is then …

Analysis Of Phytochemicals In Watercress Leaves Using Chromatographic, Spectroscopic And In-Vitro Approaches, Bidisha Roy Sengupta

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Biofilm-Based Biomonitoring Of Treated Wastewater Using Bacillus Thuringiensis: Toward Sustainable Water Reuse, Bidisha Roy Sengupta, Kefa K. Onchoke, Olabisi O. Ogunlewe, Robert Friedfeld

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Covid-19 Lockdowns And Social Isolation On Adolescence, Madeleine J. Bakken

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Adolescents around the world were impacted by social isolation resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Students experienced sudden school closures and isolation from classmates resulting in increased screen time, the erosion of social skills, lower academic motivation, and a period of unstructured and unfamiliar learning (Hong et al., 2022; Kannan & Veazie, 2023; Leventhal & Morishta, 2024; Menzies et al., 2024; Warford, 2019). Current research is working to measure the impact and severity of these factors. Early findings suggest that students are academically and emotionally behind where their predecessors were pre-COVID (Menzies et al. 2023; NWEA Connection, 2024). Educators and mental …

Collision Avoidance And Vegetation As Drivers Of Collective Motion In Australian Plague Locusts, Nathan S. Hasegawa

HMC Senior Theses

The Australian plague locust (Chortoicetes terminifera) is an agricultural and ecological pest that causes tens of millions of dollars in crop damage each year. In this thesis, we develop mathematical models of hopper bands, dense formations of juvenile locusts that move across a vegetated field and destroy plants in their path. We develop agent-based and PDE models of hopper bands moving through vegetation to examine how recently discovered behavior where locusts slow down to avoid collisions with other locusts may influence the shape, speed, and destructiveness of hopper bands. We find that collision avoidance may cause locusts to …

Creative Practice As A Form Of Stress Coping: Psychological And Physiological Mechanisms, Clare Foster

Psychology Honors Papers

The primary purpose of this study was to better understand the relationship between perceived stress, cortisol levels, and a creative flow state. A creative flow state is a state in which a person is so engrossed in an activity that nothing else seems to matter; time is irrelevant and seems to pass quickly and the activity holds all attention without distraction or interruption. The primary hypothesis in this study was that regular engagement with flow inducing activities counteracts an increased level of stress as the school semester progresses. Eight participants were recruited and given a preliminary survey where they were …

Adolescence In A Minor: A Preliminary Investigation Into The Centrality Of Music-Related Self-Defining Memories In Narrative Identity Development, Katharine Caviness

Psychology Honors Papers

Adolescence and emerging adulthood are critical periods for identity development, during which music often serves as a powerful tool for emotional expression, social connection, and autobiographical meaning-making. This study investigates the role of music-related self-defining memories (SDMs) in shaping and reflecting narrative identity and explores whether these processes differ between individuals with varying levels of musical engagement. Twenty undergraduate students (10 music majors, 10 non-music majors) from a liberal arts college participated in semi-structured interviews about a music-related SDM from adolescence. Participants completed the Centrality of Event Scale (CES) and Likert ratings of memory valence and importance. Thematic analysis revealed …

Who Do Children Believe? Exploring Testimonial Injustice Toward Characters With Disabilities, Naomi Glunz-Kennedy

Psychology Honors Projects

Young children develop stereotypes and attitudes about others early in life, yet little research has examined how they evaluate knowledge-related exchanges involving individuals with disabilities—a process that may indicate early forms of testimonial injustice. This study investigated whether children (ages 5 – 7) are more likely to believe speakers with or without sensory and physical disabilities, whether the type of statement made by a speaker influences children’s belief preferences, and whether children anticipate epistemic bias from non-disabled listeners. A predominately White sample of sixty-four children viewed videos featuring two characters—one disabled and one non-disabled—making statements, and were asked to select …

Examining The Probiotic Potential Of Pseudoalteromonas Rubra Situated In The Scholarly And Public Spheres, Sam Ruemmler

Honors Senior Capstones and Theses

Climate change is affecting our oceans negatively in many ways, such as rising temperatures and increased disease outbreaks. While there are many diseases that are affecting marine organisms, bacteria of the genus Vibrio are present globally and are known to favor warmer waters, which means increasing temperatures will cause an uptick in infections. One species, V. coralliilyticus, has been identified as a pathogen responsible for coral disease and death as well as mortality in rainbow trout, brine shrimp, and Pacific oyster larvae. A possible solution to the rising prevalence of disease is the use of probiotics. One such probiotic candidate …

The Effects Of Polyethylene And Polypropylene Microplastics On Daphnia Dentifera, Scott Eaves, Molly Fredericks, Carla Caceres

MICRO-CCS student projects

Research Question: What are the effects of polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics on the size, swim speed, and clonal growth rate of Daphnia dentifera?

Chenoweth Prevails: The Connection Between Social Standards And The Marimba’S Development In The Western Art Music Tradition, Jackson Hall

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Among percussionists, the names of many marimbists come to mind before that of Vida Chenoweth (1928-2018), the pioneer of the modern marimba recital. Chenoweth began her first recital tour in the early 1950s at a time when the marimba did not yet have a dedicated solo repertoire, and women were largely excluded from performing on orchestral instruments. This thesis explores the musical and social contexts in which Chenoweth performed and worked, with particular attention to her recital history, critical reviews, and, through works written specifically for her performance, her technical abilities. She not only sparked the evolution of marimba technique …

Investigating Drivers In Phytoplankton Between Lentic And Lotic Ecosystems Within Twelvepole Creek Watershed, Devin Lee Farmer

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) threaten aquatic ecosystems, local economies, and water quality. While extensively studied in lakes (lentic systems), their impact on flowing waters (lotic systems) remains underexplored. This study examined algal drivers in both ecosystems within the same watershed, focusing on Beech Fork Lake (lentic) and Twelve Pole Creek (lotic). Key environmental factors, including pH, turbidity, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient levels, were measured using in situ sensors and laboratory analysis. Water samples were analyzed for nitrogen, phosphorus, and algal biomass for comparison to environmental conditions. Phytoplankton was preserved for identification in future research. By comparing these environments, this study …

The Role Of Masculine And Feminine Gender Enactment In Hospitality Leadership, Michelle Russen, Mary Dawson, Tiffany Legendre

Marketing Faculty Publications

Purpose: The stereotypical assumptions of what it means to be hegemonically masculine and to be a leader are aligned in current society, potentially creating role incongruity for anyone who does not fit into this definition. The purpose of this study is to investigate whether masculine and feminine leadership traits of men and women hospitality managers affect employees’ intention to trust leaders and organizational attractiveness.

Design/Methods/Approach: Explanatory mixed methods were employed. First, two experiments (study 1 = woman manager, n = 137; study 2 = man manager, n = 117) were conducted with current hospitality employees to test the interaction of …