Digital Commons Network^™

Strategic Planning And Capacity Growth In Nonprofit Organizations, Rebecca Snapp

Graduate Research Papers

The following is a literature review of the relationship between strategic planning and capacity building in nonprofit organizations. The review specifically examines barriers to strategic planning and capacity building in the areas of environment, leadership, and funding, as well as elements of organizational readiness for strategic planning with the goal of supporting nonprofit organizations as they work to circumvent these barriers.

Research Portfolio, Kezia Mariam Abraham

Graduate Research Papers

No abstract provided.

Truman Seymour Report, Dieter Ullrich

Guarding Ossabaw Island: History and Archaeology of the 47th N.Y.V.I. Camp

A document detailing the life of Truman Seymour, written by Dieter Ullrich in 2025.

Ullrich, Dieter. Ossabaw Island Chronology. (2025)

Largely Enhanced Out-Of-Plane Electromechanical Coupling Effects In Two-Dimensional Molybdenum-Disulfide/Boron-Nitride Heterostructures, Qiong Liu, Vijay Kumar Choyal, James E. Morris, Timon Rabczuk, Xiaoning Jiang, Xiaoying Zhuang

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The electromechanical coupling effects in two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted great interest. However, for 2D TMDs, piezoelectricity is confined to the basal plane, and the flexoelectricity-derived out-of-plane electromechanical response is usually faint, limiting the applications of this material family using the out-of-plane electromechanical effects. Here, this work reports a facile strategy to greatly enhance the out-of-plane electromechanical response of hexagonal molybdenum disulfide (2H-MoS₂) nanoflakes by stacking monolayer hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) on 2H-MoS₂ nanoflakes to form MoS₂/BN heterostructures. The d^eff/₃₃ coefficient of MoS₂/BN can reach a value comparable …

Mapping Learning In Higher Education: The Embedding Content Across Academic Programmes Toolkit, John Pierce, Mary Beades, Andrew Shields

Publications

The growing diversification of teaching roles in higher education and the siloed nature of semesterised programmes can inhibit quality teaching and learning. This paper introduces the Embedding Content Across Academic Programmes Toolkit (ECAAPT), a practical model for mapping and tracking embedded content across modules, semesters, and years within higher education programmes that can ease the administrative burden of curricular mapping and change on academics teaching in the sector. Originally developed with a focus on tracking student academic literacies, this model has also been adapted and shown value in mapping and tracking other content, such as graduate attributes, feedback, assessment strategies, …

Do Adhd Symptoms Enhance College Students’ Creativity And Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy?, Jorge Sebastian Montesinos

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Despite years of research focused on impairment, it is possible that attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be beneficial in some ways. Past studies have analyzed ADHD’s potential benefits to creativity and entrepreneurship, but the majority have either been underpowered or have had mixed results. In an attempt to add clarity to these potential ADHD-related strengths, the present study explored the relation between symptoms of ADHD, creative achievement, and entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE). The current study was a survey of emerging adult college students from multiple U.S. universities. The purpose of this study was to explore relations between symptoms of ADHD and …

Parting The Corn Rows: Nikita Khrushchev’S Visit To Iowa, 1959, Jordan Stiles

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

On September 23, 1959, Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev visited Roswell Garst to inspect US hybrid corn and agricultural methods. Khrushchev’s initial reforms are discussed to show why Khrushchev sought agricultural knowledge abroad. The details of Khrushchev’s and Garst’s life regarding their work in agriculture are explored up to the visit. The visit would leave an indelible mark on the USSR and Iowa. Khrushchev and his successors would use Garst’s model for hybrid corn farming as the template for Soviet farming. Garst would use his limelight to catapult his corn diplomacy into action around the world. Lastly, the legacy of Khrushchev’s …

From Grades To Growth: Exploring Student Perceptions Of Standards-Based Grading, Feedback Utilization, And Teacher–Student Relationships, Meghan Koellner

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Many schools have transitioned from traditional grading practices to standards-based grading practices. A central feature of standards-based grading is the use of feedback to move learning forward. When students feel connected to their teachers, they are more likely to engage with feedback and improve their performance. The purpose of this study was to explore how midwestern high school students characterize their experience with standards-based grading, utilize teacher feedback, and perceive the impact of these practices on teacher-student relationships. Three research questions guided this study: (1) How do midwestern high school students characterize their experience with standards-based grading? (2) How do …

True Inclusion: A Qualitative Study In Autoethnography; Examining The Educational Journey And Divine Calling Of An Administrator To Champion The Inclusivity Of Students With Special Needs, Andrea Loutsch

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The purpose of this study was to dive deeper into the real-life experience of a public school teacher/administrator that ventured into the role of a Catholic school administrator and their role as an advocate for students with special needs. A great deal of the research for the inclusion of students with special needs has been in the realm of public K-12 institutions and their rights as individuals with disabilities, since the introduction of The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) in 1975. However, many private, Catholic K-12 schools have recognized not only a stronger demand for services for students with …

Every Teacher A Reading Teacher: An Exploration Of Teacher Preparation And Literacy Instruction, Jossette N. Finney

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

The number of students lacking literacy proficiency is on the rise, with only 33% of students assessed in Grades 4 and 31% of students assessed in Grade 8 scoring at or above NAEP proficiency in reading (National Center for Education Statistics, 2022). The purpose of this study was to understand more about the attitudes and beliefs of classroom teachers, preservice teachers, and content area literacy instructors surrounding content area literacy instruction, and how those beliefs affected their likelihood to incorporate literacy across the curriculum. The theoretical framework for this study included the critical literacy theory along with Paolo Freire’s pedagogy …

Broiler Breeders Today: Feather Development And Nutrition, Justina Caldas

Proceedings of the Arkansas Nutrition Conference

The broiler industry in the US has observed a consistent decline in fertility and hatchability, particularly the past 5 years. There are numerous managerial and nutritional approaches to optimize the pullet and subsequent mature broiler breeder, and these proceedings focus on feathering. Moreover, these proceedings examine the quantity and quality of broiler breeder plumage as affected by both pullet and hen nutrition.

The Effect Of Mitochondrial Disease On The Eyes And Possible Treatments With An Emphasis On Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy, Olivia Chambers

Honors Program Theses

Mitochondrial diseases are a diverse group of genetic disorders that impair cellular energy production, often leading to multisystem complications, including vision loss. This thesis explores how mitochondrial dysfunction impacts ocular health, with an emphasis on Leber Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a disorder caused by point mutations in mitochondrial DNA affecting Complex I of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway. Through an extensive literature review, this research examines the mechanisms by which mitochondrial mutations damage retinal ganglion cells and evaluates current and emerging treatment approaches. Pharmacological therapies, such as idebenone and other quinone analogs, demonstrate limited but promising results in stabilizing early-stage vision …

Effects Of Vagus Nerve Stimulation On Daily Function And Quality Of Life In Markedly Treatment-Resistant Major Depression: Findings From A One-Year, Randomized, Sham-Controlled Trial, A John Rush, Charles R Conway, Et Al.

2020-Current year OA Pubs

BACKGROUND: Depression treatments aim to minimize symptom burden and optimize quality of life (QoL) and psychosocial function.

OBJECTIVE: Compare the effects of adjunctive versus sham vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) on QoL and function in markedly treatment-resistant depression (TRD).

METHODS: In this multicenter, double-blind, sham-controlled trial, 493 adults with TRD and ≥4 adequate but unsuccessful antidepressant treatment trials (current episode) were randomized to active (n = 249) or sham (n = 244) VNS (plus treatment as usual) over a 12-month observation period. Quarterly outcomes included QoL with the Q-LES-Q, Mini-Q-LES-Q, and EQ-5D-5L, and function with the WHODAS 2.0 and Work Productivity …

The Impact Of Practicum Job Demands And Resources On Pre-Service Teachers’ Occupational Commitment And Job Intent, Jeremy Pan, Tony Loughland, Rebecca J. Collie, Andrew A. Kingsford-Smith, Mary Ryan, Caroline Mansfield, Rachelle Davey, Chrissy Monteleone, Miriam Tanti

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Around the world, there is a need to understand how to support pre-service teachers through their initial teacher education (ITE). The current study applied the Job Demands-Resources Theory to examine the associations among Australian pre-service teachers’ job demands and resources. The structural equation modelling found that perceived autonomy support, and relatedness with colleagues and students, were positively related to work outcomes of occupational commitment and job intent. Conversely, factors like disruptive student behaviour and time pressure were negatively associated with these outcomes. These findings suggest the relevance of providing support mechanisms for pre-service teachers to enhance their important ITE phase.

Through The Looking Glass; Midwifery Students' Experience Of Ethical Issues: A Feminist Explanatory Case Study, D. Bygraves, K. Wissemann, K. Buchanan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: The ethical component in midwifery education is governed by international professional values, codes, and ethical principles. The aim of midwifery education is to encourage students to develop a lifelong commitment to ethical practice within their midwifery role and scope. However, little evidence is available on the experiences of midwifery students and how they navigate ethical issues in maternity systems. Aim: To present a case study from a midwifery students' perspective that demonstrates observed ethical issues and to provide analysis of the ethical issues identified. Design: A Single explanatory case study design with a feminist lens applied. Explanatory case studies …

Still Hungry, Not Enough: The Past, Present, And Future Of Food Tourism Scholarship, Eerang Park, Sangkyun Kim

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper provides a state-of-the-art critical review of past and current food tourism scholarship and offers key insights and directions to establish a more comprehensive perspective on the field. The food tourism scholarship evolved, transformed, and progressed from earlier intellectual discussions and scholarly discourses on ‘food in tourism’. Through a rapid transition from ‘food in tourism’ to ‘food for tourism’ and ‘tourism for food’ as the current status quo, this paper proposes four directions for future food tourism research. These are: the application of contextualism philosophy with particular attention to the localities and peculiarities of emerging and/or new food tourism …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of A Serious Game To Deliver Health Education About Invasive Meningococcal Disease: Clustered Randomized Controlled Equivalence Trial, Lauren Bloomfield, Julie Boston, Martin Masek, Lesley Andrew, Donna Barwood, Amanda Devine

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a serious, vaccine-preventable infectious disease that can be life-threatening. Teaching adolescents about the early detection and prevention of IMD can be challenging in a school environment, with educators reporting they lack confidence or expertise to cover this in the classroom environment. Professional guest educators are an alternative to cover specialist topics such as IMD; however, time and resourcing constraints can mean that these educators are not always available. Serious games may be an alternative to face-to-face education, where complex health information may be delivered via self-directed gameplay. Objective: This study aims to develop a …

Intrapartum Hydration Assessment And Management: A Cross-Sectional Survey Of Australian And New Zealand Maternity Units, Brianne G. Mcintyre, Debbie Massey, Nigel Lee, Lauren Kearney

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Hydration assessment and management during labour play an important role in maternal and newborn outcomes. Studies indicate that clinical practice is inconsistent, with limited consensus evident in clinical guidelines. Current practices in fluid management across public and private maternity units within Australia and New Zealand remain unknown. Respondents highlighted the importance of maternal hydration assessment and management to well-being. However, inconsistencies were noted in the documentation, medication use and adherence to clinical protocols. Aim: Our study aimed to investigate unit-level clinical practice regarding intrapartum hydration assessment and management across Australian and New Zealand private and public hospitals. The scope …

Willingness To Pay For Blue-Green Space And Koala Habitat Protection Following A Covid-19 Versus Bushfire Experimental Prime, Zoe Leviston, Rubijayne Cohen, Stephanie Gorman, Zoe Becvarik, Aparna Lal

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Community-supported investment in blue-green space and fauna habitat protection is important, yet the drivers of willingness to pay (WTP) are poorly understood. Moreover, research on WTP for environmental services rarely considers the role of context in determining which services donors prefer. We address these gaps with a novel experimental approach (N = 360), randomly assigning participants to a condition priming either Covid19, the Australian 2019-2020 bushfires, or to one of two control conditions. We measured subsequent WTP for blue-green space and koala habitat, finding mostly non-significant effects for experimental condition on WTP, preparedness to donate, or the importance placed on …

Better Sleep Hygiene Is Associated With Better Sleep Health In Mining Shift Workers In Australia, Philipp Beranek, Ian C. Dunican, Travis Cruickshank, Mitchell Turner

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Australia's mine sites are largely situated in remote locations and operate around the clock. Many shift workers fly to site, where they work 12-hr shifts and sleep in camp accommodation before they return home for the period rostered off work. Mining shift workers experience poor sleep, yet limited research is available on contributing factors. This study investigated, for the first time, the relationship between the sleep health and sleep hygiene in this population. A survey was disseminated to shift workers in the mining industry, utilising a cross-sectional study design. The Sleep Health Index and Sleep Hygiene Index questionnaires were used …

Postharvest Aqueous Ozonation Alleviates Chilling Injury By Upregulating Ascorbate-Glutathione (Asa-Gsh) Cycle And Associated Antioxidant Enzymes In Cold-Stored ‘Kensington Pride’ Mango Fruit, Mekhala Dinushi Kananke Vithana, Mahmood Ul Hasan, Hafiz Muhammad Shoaib Shah, Zora Singh

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Chilling injury (CI) hinders prolonged cold storage of mangoes (Mangifera indica L.). Hence, the influence of postharvest aqueous ozonation (PAO) (1 mg ozone s^{− 1}) of mature green ‘Kensington Pride’ mangoes for 10, 20 and 30 min preceding storage at 5 °C for 21 and 28 d on modulating CI, cell membrane integrity, ascorbate-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle, antioxidant enzymes and fruit quality were investigated. Compared to control, 10 min PAO significantly reduced CI index (62.5% and 42.9%), CI incidence (40.5% and 41.4%), weight loss (18.4% and 21.8%) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in peel (61.8% and 71.7%) in 21 and 28 …

Smart And Sustainable Regeneration Of Fouled Desalination Membranes Using Artificial Intelligence, Muhammad Mubashir, Mustakeem Mustakeem, Ammar Alnumani, Abdulrahman Abutaleb, Ali Hamoud Naji Sumayli, Tausif Ahmad, Muhammad Rizwan Azhar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

During the desalination process, scaling, fouling, and degradation are associated issues that lead to a drop in the separation performance of membranes. Membrane regeneration emerges as a critical technology in which upcycling and downcycling can offer a promising avenue for promoting sustainable membrane lifecycle management. Multiple research papers and reviews have critically analyzed the regeneration of membranes, which explains the end-of-cycle assessment and cost analysis of membrane recycling. However, challenges associated with the conventional and innovative regeneration processes are not yet analyzed. The potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on membrane regeneration is not explained in the literature. This review …

You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby: Authenticating Popular Music Tribute Shows, Colin James Outhwaite

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This article forwards an alternative perspective on how authenticity can be constructed through popular music tribute show performances. It adopts Edward Bruner's (1994, American Anthropologist, 96, 397-415) categorisation of authenticity in relation to the replication of 'historical sites' in museum exhibitions. It argues that rather than focusing on sonic and historical 'accuracy', tribute musicians strive to curate their history and personal experiences with the music they play to prove their 'authority' as cultural ambassadors. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork conducted in Perth, Western Australia, and a case study of a UK-based international touring tribute to The Smiths, this article highlights how …

Data-Driven Insights For Optimizing Ev Charging Infrastructure: A Case Study On Efficiency And Utilization, Kazi Zehad Mostofa, Md Fokrul Islam, Mohammad Aminul Islam, Mohammad Khairul Basher, Tarek Abedin, Boon Kar Yap, Mohammad Nur-E-Alam

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The increasing global adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) has led to a growing demand for a cost-effective and reliable charging infrastructure. This study presents a novel data-driven approach to assessing EV station performance by analyzing power consumption efficiency, station utilization rates, no-power session occurrences, and CO2 reduction metrics. A dataset of 17,500 charging sessions from 305 stations across a regional network was analyzed to identify operational inefficiencies and opportunities for infrastructure optimization. Results indicate a strong correlation between station utilization and energy efficiency, highlighting the importance of strategic station placement. The findings also emphasize the impact of no-power sessions on …

Graduate Outcomes Of Australian Hospitality Educational Institutions And Skills Desired By Employers: A Matrix Model, Alireza Amrollahi, Hana Hadinejad, Brent D. Moyle, Nicholas Thomas

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Demand for a skilled hospitality workforce has accelerated post-pandemic. However, limited research has explored the core competencies desired by the hospitality sector and their alignment with graduate outcomes from bachelor’s programs. Consequently, this study uses the Australian accommodation sector as an exemplar case to examine the alignment of skill supply and demand in the sector. An analysis of 28,000 Australian job advertisements reveals that employers seek a combination of soft and hard skills. Soft skills prevalent in job advertisements include communication, customer-orientation, teamwork, and adaptability. Hard skills that emerged include quality assurance, property management, culinary expertise, hospitality proficiency, and safety. …

Lessons From Australasian Principals’ Experiences With Crises: Adapting, Learning And Transforming, Michelle Striepe, Christine Cunningham, Mohini Devi, David Gurr, Fiona Longmuir, Sylvia Robertson, Adam Taylor, Pauline Thompson

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper offers a comparative analysis of how Australasian principals navigated a period of compounding crises. Building on our previous research, this study examines the longer-term impacts and lessons learned from crises experiences. Analysis of interviews with principals from Australia, Fiji and New Zealand revealed a balance of directive and collaborative approaches as they adapted to meet changing community needs. A common theme was a focus on wellbeing and relationship-building although context-specific differences emerged. These differences related to the type of crisis, school characteristics, and location. As the crises subsided, the principals’ experiences transformed their perspectives on their role and …

Natural Hydrogen Soil Gas Emissions Near Harvey, Perth Basin: A Comparative Study Of Survey Methods, Krista Davies, Peter W. Haines, Charmaine Thomas, Leon Normore

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Quantifying natural hydrogen soil gas emissions and their controlling factors is critical for assessing hydrogen storage viability and improving exploration strategies. This study provides the first detailed comparison of hydrogen emissions near the DMP Harvey-2 well in the Perth Basin and compares the effectiveness of repeated point surveys and autonomous monitoring in capturing emission variability. Hydrogen concentrations ranged from 0 to >1000 ppm in point surveys, with transient pulses up to 598 ppm detected through continuous monitoring, indicating episodic release. Repeated point surveys successfully captured the overall range of emissions but failed to resolve dynamic processes, such as abrupt flux …

Shareholders’ Engagement And Corporate Performance, Ahmad Saiful Azlin Puteh Salin, Zubaidah Ismail, Malcolm Smith

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

An investor relations function fosters continuous and direct communication between executives and stakeholders (Chapman et al., 2022). However, this function does not attract sufficient attention from the researchers, and not much literature documenting and evidence of the importance of developing strong relationships between firms with both shareholders and other stakeholders, which can lead to long-term partnership, increased loyalty, and hence, better operations carried out by the business entities. In light of this, the objective of this study is to investigate the connection between the level of engagement of shareholders and the profitability of corporations. This study uses content analysis on …

Association Between Hypertension And Dementia Risk In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review, Josephine E. Lindhout, Marieke P. Hoevenaar-Blom, Jan Willem Van Dalen, Manshu Song, Dong Lin, Wei Wang, Edo Richard, Eric P. Moll Van Charante, Tessa Van Middelaar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: Dementia prevalence is rising most rapidly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), yet most evidence on risk factors such as hypertension stems from high-income settings. In LMICs, hypertension may have a greater impact due to its high prevalence and poor control. We systematically reviewed evidence on the association between blood pressure and dementia and cognition in LMICs, and compared findings across regions. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Global Index Medicus and reviewed reference lists for relevant studies. We included longitudinal studies (follow-up ≥6 months) from LMICs on the association between systolic blood pressure or hypertension and incident …

Role Of Ethical Leadership In Creating Meaningful Work Through Corporate Social Responsibility In Bhutan: A Conditional Mediation Model, Deki Choden, Mehran Nejati, Azadeh Shafaei, Ben Farr-Wharton, José L. Roldán

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This research investigated how ethical leaders drive employees to experience meaningfulness at work by influencing employees' perception of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). It also examined if employees' skepticism towards CSR moderates these relationships. Conducted in Bhutan, where CSR is legally required but emerging, the study surveyed 797 employees from 15 companies using partial least squares path modeling. Findings confirmed that the perceived CSR mediates the positive link between ethical leadership and meaningfulness at work. Meanwhile, employees' skepticism towards CSR weakens both the positive impact of CSR perception on meaningfulness at work as well as the mediated path. The study highlights …