Digital Commons Network^™

Leadership And Management In Action Program (L-Map) Supplement: Case Studies For Humanities And Social Sciences, Giovanna Bonadonna Ph.D., Kevin Kadowaki Ph.D., A. Patricia Mendoza Ph.D., Matthew Thompson Ph.D., Shirl Yang Ph.D.

Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

The Leadership and Management in Action Program (L-MAP) Workbook and Facilitator Guide are authored by Erin Heckler, Ph.D., Jessica A. Hutchins, Ph.D., Molly Grisham, M.A., and Elizabeth Luckman, Ph.D., M.B.A. The L-MAP Project was supported by a Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) Career Guidance for Trainees grant to Washington University in St. Louis, 2019-2021 (co-principal investigators: Erin Heckler, Ph.D., and Jessica Hutchins, Ph.D.).

This Supplement does not (nor does it intend to) replace the L-MAP curriculum. The case studies in this document are designed to accompany the theory in the L-MAP curriculum applying it to discipline-specific situations in the humanities and …

Social Support And Gratitude In Adolescents: An Exploratory Study, Mimi Webb Kurtz

Theses and Dissertations

Dispositional gratitude is a construct associated with numerous benefits in youth. However, existing research has primarily focused on the outcomes of gratitude, with limited exploration of the underlying factors that may contribute to individual differences in its development. Because gratitude is considered malleable, identifying key factors associated with its growth in youth is essential. The present study aims to address this gap by exploring perceived social support as a presumed antecedent of dispositional gratitude in older adolescents. Cross-sectional, self-report data and structural equation modeling were used to assess the relationship of perceived social support with gratitude levels among high school …

Cerebellar Contributions To Speech And Clinical Outcomes In Stroke: A Multimodal Investigation Of Structural Integrity Across Chronic And Acute Cohorts, Makayla Joy Gibson

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the critical role of the cerebellum in speech production, with a focus on chronic post-stroke apraxia of speech (AOS), lesion-related cerebellar degeneration, and age-related changes in cerebellar structure among healthy individuals. While speech deficits have traditionally been attributed to cortical lesions, mounting evidence suggests that the cerebellum contributes significantly to speech-motor planning, execution, and error correction. Using multimodal neuroimaging, lesion-symptom mapping, and standardized speech assessments, this research examines cerebellar gray matter volume (GMV) across three complementary studies.

Aim 1 evaluates the association between cerebellar GMV and AOS severity in individuals with chronic left hemisphere stroke. Findings support …

Involvement Of Integrated Stress Response In Primary And Secondary Dystonia, Tricia Aleena Dulice Simon

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT Dystonia is the third most common movement disorder in the United States of America , the first two being essential tremor and Parkinson’s disease. Gaining mechanistic knowledge about pathobiology of dystonia is essential for development of effective therapies. As the only therapies currently available are invasive procedures such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) or frequent botulinum toxin injections, it is critical to understand the underlying molecular mechanisms leading to dystonia. A maladaptive integrated stress response (ISR) involving dysregulation of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor  (eIF2) mediated signaling is observed in DYT-PRKRA patient cells. Mutations in PRKRA gene, which …

Defining Barriers In Pulmonary Hypertension: Pulmonary Hypertension In Remote And Rural Settings In Australia: An Epidemiologic Study Aided By Echocardiography, Pyi Naing

Theses

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a common, complex, and potentially lethal haemodynamic condition with many underlying aetiologies. It is poorly understood, and diagnosis is usually made late in the disease process resulting in poor outcomes even in the developed world. An innovative universal framework is required to achieve early and accurate diagnosis for improved outcomes, especially in remote and rural areas. The thesis documents my substantial body of work that unlocks a collective framework to assist patients with PH, particularly in areas not classically serviced by tertiary level PH care.

The first chapter of my thesis outlines the history, important milestones …

The Impacts Of Mentorship On An Asian American Female Pk-12 School Leader: An Autoethnography, Jessica Proctor

Education Dissertations

Asian American women remain significantly underrepresented in PK-12 school leadership roles in the United States, despite the rapid growth of the Asian American population. Existing research on women of color in educational leadership has primarily focused on Black and Latina women, leaving Asian American women’s experiences largely unexplored. This autoethnographic dissertation examines the experiences of an Asian American female leader in PK-12 education, with a particular focus on the role of mentorship in career progression and identity development. By analyzing personal experiences through the lens of historical and contemporary barriers, including racism, sexism, and limited access to networks, this study …

The Tyrant King Of The Auction House: The Disastrous “Fine Artification” Of The Dinosaur, Amelia C. Kolstad

Anthós

This article examines how fine art auctioneers market dinosaur fossils as art pieces to wealthy collectors, depriving the paleontological field of specimens for scientific research. Drawing from recent examples of fossils sold at fine art auctions, this article notes how rising auction prices for specimens as ‘art’ prevent museums and research institutions from acquiring specimens for research and restoration. Kolstad concludes that the art auction houses’ marketing of fossils as art is detrimental to paleontological research. To protect fossils and their scientific value, Kolstad proposes alternatives, such as selling replicas to collectors and highlighting the importance of original specimens for …

Cholesterol Modulation Of Bk Currents And Cerebral Artery Diameter Via Channel-Forming Alpha-Subunit, Elizabeth Schneider

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Voltage- and calcium-gated, large conductance potassium channels (BK; MaxiK) are ubiquitously expressed and subsequently mediate numerous physiological processes. Cholesterol is consumed in high amounts with the diet and accumulates in cellular membranes when plasma levels become elevated. Cholesterol is a known inhibitor of BK channels and is suspected of contribution to many pathophysiological issues via its interaction with these channels. However, the molecular mechanisms that drive cholesterol inhibition of BK channels remain largely unexplored. This dissertation hypothesized that cholesterol inhibits BK currents via binding to specific amino acid(s) of the channel-forming alpha subunit, and involving distinct modifications of channel gating. …

Sars-Cov-2 Variants Of Concern: Biological Implications Of Immunogenicity And Comorbidity, Jacob Nichols

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

When coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) emerged in human populations in late 2019, there was nothing known about the virus, SARS-CoV-2, besides that it had a high degree of similarity to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The prior published research on these viruses set a strong foundation for the research approaches needed to quickly stand-up medical countermeasures for treatment of COVID-19. However, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) soon revealed a high propensity to evolve new variants that could engage host cell receptors with greater affinity and escape host immunity. With each wave …

Integrative Approaches In Colorectal Cancer: Prognostic Biomarkers And Ai-Driven Hypothesis Generation For Early Diagnosis And Drug Resistance, Heliang Yin

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with early diagnosis being critical for improving patient outcomes. This study addresses two key aspects of CRC research: understanding its etiology and prognostic biomarkers and exploring the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating hypotheses for early diagnosis. In the first project, we analyzed prognostic biomarkers in CRC, revealing a significant negative correlation between TP53 and CD56 mutations, which have opposing effects on patient survival. TP53, a tumor suppressor gene, is frequently mutated in CRC, while CD56, a glycoprotein involved in cell adhesion, may act as a cancer enhancer. …

Characterization Of Novel Hantaviruses In Paraguay, Ifebuche Nnamani

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The genus Orthohantavirus, is a group of tripartite, negative-sense RNA viruses of which some members are the etiologic agents for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) or orthohantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS) in the Old and New Worlds, respectively. Sampling of wild rodents for these viruses has increased our knowledge of their host range and continues to lead to the discovery of new orthohantaviruses species and strains. HFRS and HPS have case fatality rates of up to 15% and 40%, respectively. And in some years, morbidity rates of up to 100,000 cases can be reached, globally. The epidemiological evidence of human-to-human …

Examining The Distribution And Predictability Of Population Dynamics Across Geographic Space, Cleber Ten Caten

Theses and Dissertations

Populations occupy different regions of the geographic space and may experience distinct conditions over time that can cause fluctuations in their number of individuals. Environmental conditions, dispersal events, and resource availability are some of the factors that influence populations. A central goal in ecology has been to develop generalizations about how these factors that affect population dynamics are structured in geographic space. However, limited knowledge about where species occur and a lack of long-term surveys of populations has hindered the development, and validation, of such generalizations. In this dissertation, I use a combination of observational data, simulations, and experimental approaches …

Surface Morphology And Moisture Adsorption/Desorption Characteristics Of Hybrid-Dielectric Moisture Sensors, Ronak Ali

Theses and Dissertations--Electrical and Computer Engineering

Relative humidity sensors are used for high-humidity measurement. Moisture sensors, or dew point sensors are used for low-humidity measurement (< 1 ppm_v). The dissertation contains two parts of studies. In the first part, the effect of surface morphology on the response speed of moisture sensors is studied. Moisture sensors using α-Al₂O₃ films as porous dielectric materials deposited by anodic spark deposition are studied. In this part of the study, a variety of small pores have been studied to investigate the response speed of moisture sensors. Three different surface morphologies have been studied using scanning electron microscopy. One …

Long Oligos: Direct Chemical Synthesis Of Genes With Up To 1728 Nucleotides, Yipeng Yin, Reed Arneson, Yinan Yuan, Shiyue Fang

Michigan Tech Publications

The longest oligos that can be chemically synthesized are considered to be 200-mers. Here, we report direct synthesis of an 800-mer green fluorescent protein gene and a 1728-mer Φ29 DNA polymerase gene on an automated synthesizer. Key innovations that enabled this breakthrough include conducting the synthesis on a smooth surface rather than within the pores of traditional supports, and the use of the powerful catching-by-polymerization (CBP) method for isolating the full-length oligos from a complex mixture. Conducting synthesis on a smooth surface not only eliminated the steric hindrance that would otherwise prevent long oligo assembly, but also, surprisingly, drastically reduced …

The Effects Of Physical Exercise On Emotion Dysregulation In Postsecondary Students With And Without Adhd, Elizabeth Bodalski

Theses and Dissertations

Emotion dysregulation is a common issue among college students with ADHD, and emotion dysregulation in adults with ADHD is associated with many negative outcomes including higher levels of psychological distress and social impairment, poorer functioning at school and work, greater symptoms of anxiety and depression, and lower quality of life. Past work suggests that physical exercise can be useful in treating core ADHD symptoms for children and adolescents with ADHD, but less is known about its effects for young adults with ADHD. Exercise has been shown to be effective in targeting emotion dysregulation among the general adult population. Some work …

The Everyday Scientist: Down In The Weeds In The Heart Of The South, Pamela Zendt

Master's Projects

The Everyday Scientist: Down in the Weeds in the Heart of the South is a creative nonfiction capstone project that was released as a book. The narrative documents my two-year journey as a community scientist and explores how ordinary people contribute meaningfully to scientific research in the natural world. Rooted in my desire to connect my passion for the outdoors with the goals of the Master of Arts in Professional Writing program, this project illustrates that environmental science is not only for trained professionals. Instead, it thrives on the curiosity, dedication, and participation of volunteers who follow established protocols, collect …

Grounded Practice: Leadership And Integrity In Complex Systems, Tonja Smith

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio presents the integration of advanced social work competencies developed through the Master of Social Work program at the University of Montana. Grounded in evidence-informed practice, the work demonstrates applied skills in assessment, intervention, group facilitation, policy practice, and interagency collaboration across rural and multidisciplinary settings. Artifacts highlight structured approaches to Batterer Intervention Groups, Domestic Violence Inventories, Family Group Conferencing, and Supported Education, with an emphasis on accountability, safety, and culturally responsive engagement.

The narrative analyzes how positionality, reflective practice, and cultural humility shape professional judgment, particularly when navigating structural inequities and conflicting system demands. The portfolio illustrates the …

Msw Portfolio, Amy Sanders

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

MSW Portfolio through the lens of "otherness".

Msw Portfolio, Steven Asire

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This work encapsulates my progression both throughout my time in the MSW program as well as my practicum and professional experience working in the mental health field. The portfolio applies past work and describes my progression from a micro lense in practice to a more holistic approach, including mezzo and macro levels of focus and how these progressions will influence my future work.

Social Work Professional Portfolio, Anthony Hoffer

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Daughter Of A Lost Bird, Susan J. Schwidde

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

A Critical Juncture: The Convergence Of Natural Resource Management And Tribal Sovereignty, Anna Aleta Butterfield

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio reflects the work I’ve done in my four years as a dual degree student, pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Studies and a juris doctorate degree, and focuses on policies and laws surrounding natural resource management. It touches on how those policies relate to and expand or constrict the exercise of sovereignty by indigenous populations.

This piece first considers the effects of plastic on salmon populations and those indigenous groups that rely on salmon for subsistence and cultural purposes. The remaining three pieces focus on various aspects of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes - Montana Water …

Phosphodiesterases (Pdes) As Potential Targets For Disrupting The Life Cycle Of Nematodes Using Molecular And Chemical Agents, Kranti Galande

Doctoral Dissertations

There are nearly 4,100 species of plant-parasitic nematodes that pose a serious threat toglobal food security, and it is estimated that about $100 billion of crops are damaged annually due to these plant parasitic nematodes. Also, animal-parasitic nematodes pose a major global health challenge, impacting approximately 3.5 billion individuals annually, particularly in tropical and developing areas. PDEs are significant determinants of cellular levels of cyclic nucleotides because the process of lowering active intracellular cyclic nucleotide second messengers (cAMP and cGMP) in cells is mediated through PDEs. Nematode behavior and lifecycle depend on cyclic nucleotide signaling. However, at present, there is …

Viscosity Stratified Turbulence: Insights From Direct Numerical Simulations, Quasilinear Reduction And Resolvent Analysis, Pulkit Kumar Dubey

Doctoral Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on wall-bounded shear-driven turbulence with temperature-dependentviscosity. Direct numerical simulations and quasilinear reduction have been used to establish the asymmetric variation of turbulent statistics in the wall-normal direction. A comparison of energy spectra in the cold and hot halves of the channel reveals that large scale motions are amplified in the more viscous half while small scale motions are amplified in the less viscous half. Interestingly, the threshold wavenumber distinguishing these scales remains independent of stratification. This observation has been verified via a low-order reconstruction of the turbulent kinetic energy profile using resolvent analysis. Fourier modes that selectively …

Uncovering Graduate Student Achievement At Virginia Commonwealth University: An Exploration Of Academic Advising & Administrative Processes, Kenzel Hill, Elizabeth Howley, Madeline Schutt, Michelle Blackwell

Doctor of Education Capstones

Virginia Commonwealth University's (VCU) Graduate School submitted a Request for Partnership, with the problem being a lack of consistency and formal advising standards for graduate students across various academic units at VCU. As a result, the Graduate School observed an impact on student success, including retention and graduation of graduate students. A capstone team was constructed to determine, through focus group interviews, surveying, and document analysis what the best practices for graduate student advising are and what the administrative processes and challenges that program directors, support staff, and faculty face in administering their graduate programs and advising. Findings suggest that …

Innovative Secondary School Scheduling Practices To Positively Impact Student Outcomes In West Point Public Schools, Jessica Burdette, Sydney B. Lilly, Mark A. Strickler

Doctor of Education Capstones

Utilizing the principles of improvement science through a critical pragmatic approach, this study aimed to promote West Point Public School (WPPS) student success through researching secondary school scheduling practices. The primary theory of change for this study stated that if instructional time is maximized, all WPPS students will be given the opportunity to experience academic success and increase achievement. Three key research questions emerged as we analyzed the problem of practice: How can WPPS structure a secondary school day schedule to ensure every student has the best opportunity to succeed within the system? How can WPPS incorporate research-based strategies for …

Senior Living Guide: Strategies For Aging In Place In Chesterfield County, Emma E. Tilley

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

The Senior Living Guide: Strategies for Aging in Place in Chesterfield County provides a comprehensive framework to support the county's growing older adult population in maintaining independence and quality of life within their homes and communities while aging in place. This plan outlines demographic trends, housing conditions, and the needs of older residents, and offers actionable planning strategies to make Chesterfield County a supportive locality for those aging in place. Emphasizing universal design, accessible infrastructure, and integrated support services, this plan promotes a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure that aging in place is a viable and equitable option for all residents. …

Small Mammal Population Dynamics And Torpor Use In A Changing Subnivean Environment, Derik Butts

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Despite global temperature increases, winter soil surface temperatures in some northern regions might actually be getting colder due to diminishing snowpacks exposing the soil surface to ambient winter conditions. Small mammal species in northern temperate areas often utilize a microclimate beneath the snow, known as the subnivium, to escape harsh winter conditions. Exposure to winter conditions without the subnivium as a buffer could cause small mammals to experience physiological stress and population declines. In this thesis, I explore the impacts of a declining subnivium from two complementary perspectives. In chapter 1, we used a structural equation model (SEM) to test …

Two-Year Changes Of Macular Choroidal Thickness In Response To 0.01% Atropine Eye Drops: Results From The Myopia Outcome Study Of Atropine In Children (Mosaic) Clinical Trial, Emmanuel Kobia-Acquah, Gareth Lingham, Daniel Ian Flitcroft, James Loughman

Research Outputs: 2025-Present

Purpose: To investigate 2-year changes in macular choroidal thickness (ChT) in children receiving 0.01% atropine eyedrops and its relationship with spherical equivalent refraction (SER) progression and axial length (AL) elongation. Methods: A total of 250 myopic children aged 6–16 years (167%–0.01% atropine, 83-placebo) were enrolled in the MOSAIC (ISRCTN36732601) clinical trial. Participants with complete 2-year ChT (Topcon Triton Swept-Source OCT), SER, and AL data were included in this study. Changes in macular ChT at 2 years and associations with changes in SER and AL elongation were analysed using linear mixed models. Results: A total of 187 children (126%–0.01% atropine, 61-placebo) …

A Comprehensive Labeling Framework For Artificial Intelligence (Ai)/Machine Learning (Ml)-Based Medical Devices: From Ai Facts Labels To A Front-Of-Package Ai Labeling System — Lessons Learned From Food Labeling, Sara Gerke

Emory Law Journal

Medical Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already authorized the marketing of over one thousand AI/Machine Learning (ML)-based medical devices, and many more products are in the development pipeline. However, despite this fast development, the regulatory framework for AI/ML-based medical devices could be improved. This Article focuses on the labeling for AI/ML-based medical devices, a crucial topic that needs to receive more attention in the legal literature and from regulators like the FDA. The current lack of labeling standards tailored explicitly to AI/ML-based medical devices is an obstacle to transparency in …