Digital Commons Network^™

Investigating The Cumulative Effect Of Nutrition Education And Nutrition Assistance On Measures Of Participant Health, Adity Chowdhury Kankon

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study examined the individual and combined associations of participation in the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program (EFNEP) and nutrition assistance programs with diet quality and biomarkers of chronic disease risk. Multistate longitudinal data were analyzed using triple difference-in-differences regression models for body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and Diet Quality Index (DQI). EFNEP participation was associated with a reduction in BMI over time among participants not receiving nutrition assistance, but this association was attenuated among assistance participants. A similar differential pattern was observed for HbA1c. No significant differential changes were found for …

Understanding Motor Competence In Autism And Developmental Coordination Disorder: From Everyday Performance To Underlying Postural Control Mechanisms, Crystal E. Alvarez

Kinesiology Dissertations

Motor competence plays a foundational role in children’s participation, physical activity, adaptive behavior, and overall quality of life. Although motor difficulties are highly prevalent in autism spectrum disorder (autism) and developmental coordination disorder (DCD), these challenges are frequently under-identified and insufficiently characterized, particularly in autistic populations. Existing research demonstrates substantial overlap in motor challenges across autism and DCD; however, relatively little work has integrated caregiver perceptions, standardized motor assessment, and mechanistic postural control measures within the same investigation. Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation was to examine motor competence and postural control in autistic children, children with DCD, and neurotypical …

Drone Dichotomy: Investigating The Application Of Unmanned Aerial Systems For Offensive And Defensive Chemical, Biological, Radiological, And Nuclear-Related Tasks, Evan Jacob Martinovitch

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This thesis investigates the application of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for both offensive and defensive chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) tasks to determine if they serve as a force multiplier on the modern battlefield. As CBRN weapons reemerge as realistic threats alongside the rapid proliferation of UAS, the intersection of these fields presents unique challenges and opportunities. Through a methodology that examines the history of the UAS-CBRN intersection, military doctrine, and the status of UAS technology, this research evaluates the capability of current and emerging UAS against specific CBRN delivery, reconnaissance and surveillance, and decontamination tasks. The analysis conducted …

Small Mammal Communities Within And Land Coverage Around Southwestern Missouri Prairies, Kaitlyn J. Bebensee

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Land alterations can reduce the amount of suitable habitat necessary for persistence of an associated species. Within such constrained habitats, limited resources may elicit competition, which could cause shifts in abundance and occurrence of species. Missouri prairies have been declining in size, making it imperative to collect reference data on mammal populations within and land use types around remnants. For this study, I trapped small mammals in Southwestern Missouri prairies because they can be indicators of environmental health and can vary in abundance between prairies. I focus on the diet of two dominant small mammals, Peromyscus maniculatus and Microtus ochrogaster …

The Use Of Performance Feedback To Decrease Latency Of Clinical Documentation, Taylor Reynolds

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Organizational behavior management (OBM) applies behavior-analytic principles to workplace settings. This study evaluated the effects of performance feedback on documentation latency among full-time staff in an ABA clinic. Reducing documentation latency is intended to improve the timeliness and accuracy of clinical documentation and to reduce risk related to non-reimbursement and liability. An ABABC design was used to evaluate the effects of performance feedback and the addition of a lottery reinforcement system on documentation latency. For each participant, the sequence consisted of a standard feedback phase (A), an enhanced feedback phase (B), a return to standard feedback phase (A), a reintroduction …

Gene Editing And The Accessibility Of Bioterrorism: Rethinking Global Biosecurity In The Post-Covid-19 Era, Nicholas Morales

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

COVID‑19 demonstrated how a single biological event can strain health systems, disrupt supply chains, undermine national security, and erode public trust. This shock occurred as biotechnology became dramatically more accessible: gene editing and synthetic biology tools once limited to specialized laboratories are now widely available through inexpensive equipment, open‑source data, and decentralized expertise.

This expanded access accelerates innovation but also broadens the threat landscape. The ability to reconstruct pathogens using publicly available sequences and mail‑order DNA shows that complex biological synthesis is no longer confined to state programs. These risks are amplified by opaque biotechnology activities in China, Russia, and …

Using 1:1 Behavior-Analytic Instruction To Enhance Outcomes Of A Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum: A Retrospective Single-Case Clinical Evaluation, Cierra Vandermeer

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which people acquire and apply skills to manage emotions, form relationships, make responsible decisions, and pursue personal and shared goals, and these competencies shape identity development and daily functioning (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning [CASEL], 2020). While there are many SEL programs and curricula that exist for school-aged children, there are few curricula that a) have a focus on 1:1 instruction for preschool to primary-aged children, and b) integrate and incorporate Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles. This thesis reviewed a retrospective case study of a six-year-old female-identifying student who participated in …

Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (Pfos)-Induced Disruption Of Mitochondrial Activity And Cell Adhesion In Liver Cells, Phuong Dam Nam Tran

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a persistent environmental pollutant associated with potential hepatoxic effects and other health risks. Despite its widespread distribution, the mechanisms underlying its toxicities remain to be fully understood. To investigate PFOS toxicology, my study utilized HepG2 and THLE-2 human hepatic cell models to replicate conditions reflecting PFOS accumulation in the liver. Cell viability, cell stress, and cell death assays were conducted to assess the toxicological influence of the chemical on both cell lines. Total RNA extraction was performed, followed by cDNA sequencing, and RT-qPCR. The XTT viability assay revealed a dose-dependent decrease in number of viable cells …

When Speech Speaks Louder Than Truth: Language Variation And Credibility In The Courtroom, Melanie E. Spinnie

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

This study aims to investigate how linguistic variation affects perceptions of credibility in courtroom settings. It focuses on how jurors, judges, and other individuals in the legal system may exhibit bias (consciously or unconsciously) based on how a defendant or witness speaks-- this could include speech disorders as well as differences in dialect, accent, and speech style. Through review of relevant literature, review of a relevant historical case, conducting a survey, and conducting a semi-structured interview, this study explores whether certain speech patterns or characteristics are disproportionately associated with negative judgments during legal proceedings, such as reduced credibility and trustworthiness. …

Fragmented Minds And Fractured Selves: A Cognitive Stylistic Analysis Of Mental Disturbance In Leaves Of Narcissus, Sarah M. Fayed, Amany M. El-Shazly, Fatma Ismail Dr.

Computer Science

What readers encounter in literature directly affects their views and impressions of the world. Hence, it is essential to acknowledge this effect and analyze it to understand how readers identify and pass judgment about significant issues. One important issue to investigate is the depiction of mental disturbance in modern fiction. The present work reconceptualizes the depiction of mental disturbance in Arabic fiction through an analysis of Somaya Ramadan’s Leaves of Narcissus. To this effect, Leaves of Narcissus (Awraq al-narjis) the depiction of mental disturbance is examined. The stylistic devices Ramadan uses, such as schema alterations to convey the content are …

Établissement De L'Équivalence De La Méthode Irsst 381 Pour La Mesure De L'Exposition Professionnelle Aux Fumées D'Asphalte En Conformité Avec La Nouvelle Valeur D'Exposition Admissible, Simon Aubin, Ousmane Bangoura, Corina Tue

États de la question, rapports d’expertise et revues de littérature

Depuis quelques décennies, la valeur d’exposition admissible consiste en une valeur d’exposition moyenne pondérée (VEMP) des fumées d’asphalte est de 5 mg/m³, prélevée en fraction « particules totales », pour laquelle une mesure gravimétrique non spécifique est préconisée. (Règlement sur la santé et la sécurité du travail) Une nouvelle VEMP entre en vigueur en mars 2026 avec la valeur et l’expression suivante : 1,5 mg/m³ [particules et vapeur exprimée en fraction soluble dans le benzène ou son équivalent] prélevé en fraction « particules totales » (Pt). La méthode préconisée pour soutenir cette VEMP est la …

Les Répercussions Des Changements Climatiques Sur La Sst : État Des Lieux Et Pistes D'Action, Sophie De Serres, Alain Marchand

États de la question, rapports d’expertise et revues de littérature

Cet état des lieux expose les répercussions multidimensionnelles des changements climatiques (CC) sur la santé et la sécurité du travail (SST), en se concentrant sur les contextes nord-américain et européen. L'augmentation de la température moyenne mondiale, qui atteint désormais +1,2 °C par rapport à l'ère préindustrielle, transforme les conditions de travail et exacerbe les dangers professionnels existants. Le stress thermique induit par la chaleur excessive provoque des pathologies allant de l'épuisement au coup de chaleur mortel, tout en dégradant la vigilance et en augmentant le risque de blessures traumatiques. Au-delà des atteintes physiques, les CC aggravent les risques psychosociaux, engendrant …

Flower_Mycotoxins_No_Code.Pdf, Yasha Kahn, Panduka Nagahawatte, Lori Nichols

Flowers

No abstract provided.

Flower_Mycotoxins_With_Code.Pdf, Yasha Kahn, Panduka Nagahawatte, Lori Nichols

Flowers

No abstract provided.

Predicting The Effectiveness Of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Using Personality Assessmente, Seth Sizemore

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Depression, a pervasive and historically stigmatized disorder, has been treated through various paradigms over centuries, from spiritual to medical frameworks. Despite advances, Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) remains a significant clinical challenge, affecting a substantial proportion of patients. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) offers a promising approach for those unresponsive to conventional treatments. This study aims to assess the efficacy of TMS in treating TRD and its broader psychological effects using the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3). Participants undergoing TMS at Lexington Forensic Psychiatry were invited to partake in the study. The treatment regimen consisted of 36 TMS sessions over nine weeks. Psychological …

Assessment Of Risk Factors In Sexual Offenders, Jennifer Bulin

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the importance and historical development of sex offender risk assessment, highlighting its critical role in managing public safety and guiding treatment interventions. This project traces the evolution of these assessments, from early methods focused on static risk factors to contemporary approaches that incorporate dynamic elements. The review discusses the most commonly used risk assessment tools for both adults and juveniles, evaluating their methodologies, strengths, and limitations. Assessments reviewed to be used with adults include the Static-99, Static-2002, Minnesota Sex Offender Screening Tool Revised (MNSOST-R), Rapid Risk Assessment for Sex Offence Recidivism (RRASOR), Sex …

Turning ‘Meh’ Into ‘Yeah!’: Modifying Motivational Interviewing For The Collegiate Experience, Mahala M. Saylor

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

This doctoral specialty project titled Turning 'Meh' into 'Yeah!': Modifying Motivational Interviewing for the Collegiate Experience explores the adaptation of Motivational Interviewing (MI) to better engage college students in mental health services. Traditional MI is highly effective in resolving ambivalence and fostering behavior change, yet its structure does not always align with the brief, solution-focused counseling models used in university settings. This project examines how MI can be tailored for time-limited interventions while enhancing student autonomy, self-efficacy, and retention in care. It integrates core MI principles—including empathy, ambivalence resolution, and self-efficacy—with developmental psychology and neurobiological research. The final product is …

The Underdiagnosis Of Neurodevelopmental Disorders In Women: Recognizing A Spectrum Of Symptoms, Taylor D. Bloomhuff

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have long been viewed as predominantly male diagnoses. Based on foundational studies for these disorders, not only are they more prevalent in male children, but symptom severity is also higher in male children. In attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder in particular, it has become a common assumption that hyperactive/impulsive and combined types are ‘male’ ADHD presentations, while the inattentive type corresponds to the few female children who meet diagnostic criteria. However, emerging research looking at the decrease in autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder prevalence rates between gender in adulthood suggests that these neurodevelopmental disorders …

Resilient Voices: A Proposed Support Group For Latina Middle Schoolers, Vanessa G. Leon

Psychology Doctoral Specialization Projects

The transition to middle school represents a critical developmental period characterized by significant social, emotional, physical, and cognitive changes. For Latina adolescents, this transition may be further complicated by cultural, environmental, and systemic stressors that increase vulnerability to mental health concerns. This doctoral specialization project addresses the need for culturally responsive mental health interventions designed to support the well-being of Latina middle school students during this developmental stage. The project presents Juntas Podemos, a school-based support group intervention that integrates Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) skills within a culturally responsive framework to promote emotional well-being, …

Supplemental Material For Incidence Of Cancer-Related Fatigue During Treatment During Treatment With Neoadjuvant And Adjuvant Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis, Lucy Potter, Maria A. Lopez-Olivo, Rajdeep Singh Uppal, Dori Beeler, Melissa S.Y. Thong, Brandy Phan, Yun-Jen Chou, Kate Krause, Areesha Tanveer, Hassan Ui Hussain, Muaaz Khan, Noha Abdel-Wahab, Ellen Manzullo, Amber S. Kleckner, Carmen Escalante

General Internal Medicine Supplemental Materials

Original presentation at MASCC/ISOO 2026 Annual Meeting; June 25–27 in Melbourne, Australia

Physical Therapist Assistant Mobility Handbook, Sandra M. Ribeiro Dr., Emie Hyman

Open Educational Resources

This is a manual that will move through the various formats of mobility. As part of the Physical Therapist Assistant Program, students must gain knowledge and skill acquisition to support independence. One such way is to help individuals gain or regain mobility. There are many ways that individuals can access their environments. The choice of type of mobility depends on many factors and changes over time. Students must develop an understanding of such factors in making decisions and learn to safely foster forms of mobility. The ones developed in this manual will cover bed mobility, transfers, wheelchair mobility, and ambulation. …

Dwight King Service Award, Black Law Students Association, Ndls

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

Presented by Notre Dame Black Law Students Association to a BLSA member who has devoted considerable time, energy, and attention to both BLSA and the Notre Dame Law School community.

Arthur Abel Memorial Competition Writing Award, Notre Dame Law Review

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

Each spring, the Notre Dame Law Review accepts entries for the annual Arthur Abel Memorial Writing Competition. Arthur Abel was a 1985 graduate (see page 26) of the Law School, serving on both the Notre Dame Law Review (Note, 60 Notre Dame L. Rev. 1187 (1985)) and the Journal of Legislation (Note, 11 J. Legis. 317 (1984)). After several years in private practice, Arthur served as Assistant General Counsel at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. A tireless attorney possessed of a keen intellect and a wonderful sense of humor, Arthur achieved much success in a short period of time. …

Alvin Mckenna Alumnus Of The Year Award, Black Law Students Association, Ndls

Student, Faculty, and Staff Awards

Presented by BLSA to a graduate who distinguishes him/herself with the African American legal community and through support of BLSA programs & activities. The honoree also demonstrates a commitment to service through active involvement within the community.

Toggling (De) Legitimization: How Presidential Candidates Framed Israel And Antisemitism On The 2024 Campaign Trail, Kate Chasin

Honors Theses

This study explores how Joe Biden and Donald Trump changed the way they framed Israel and antisemitism in speeches on the 2024 campaign trail, depending on whether they were speaking to a Jewish or non-Jewish audience. 55 speeches were examined, containing language on American-Israeli relations, the Israel-Hamas War, and antisemitism, manually categorized by frame, and compared for rhetorical shifts based on whether the audience was Jewish. When speaking to a Jewish audience about Israel, candidates humanized themselves as a campaign tool. When speaking about antisemitism, candidates used the form of hatred as a campaign tool.

Education And The Maternal Childcare Gap: Evidence From The Uk Covid-19 Pandemic, Lara Bakhaya

Honors Theses

This paper examines whether college education shapes working mothers’ access to remote work, flexible working, and childcare hours in the United Kingdom, and whether COVID-19 school closures amplified these inequalities. Using data from the UK Time Use Survey (2016–2021), a repeated cross-sectional diary dataset spanning the pre-pandemic period and five COVID-19 waves, this paper estimates weighted logistic and ordinary least squares regressions on a sample of married or cohabiting, employed mothers. School closures serve as a natural experiment, providing an exogenous shock to caregiving demands that affected all mothers simultaneously regardless of education level. College education significantly predicted working from …

Spillover Effects Of Medicare Advantage On Fee-For-Service Post-Acute Care Spending, Nyel Bangash

Honors Theses

Does the growth of Medicare Advantage reduce fee-for-service post-acute care spending through practice-pattern spillovers, or do observed spending differences primarily reflect favorable selection? Using a county-level panel of roughly 2,700 counties (2014–2023) and a two-way fixed effects specification, I find that a one percentage-point increase in MA penetration is associated with $9.54 less per-capita standardized FFS spending. Spending per episode falls while participation rates remain stable, consistent with practice-pattern spillovers rather than compositional changes from selection. Welfare indicators from County Health Rankings, CDC PLACES, and CMS Care Compare show no evidence that spending reductions harm health or care quality. The …

Ethics And Art: Fulfilling Your Aesthetic Obligations To The Fullest, Zoe Epstein

Honors Theses

My thesis defends the existence of aesthetic obligations, or the duty to engage with aesthetics, primarily in relation to the arts. I find completing aesthetic duties results in greater intellectual growth, virtues, and quality of life. Secondly, I argue you should consume and create human-made art over AI-generated art because human art has higher aesthetic value. Finally, I discuss the extent to which worth and non-worthy immoral art plays a beneficial role in fulfilling aesthetic obligations.

Cultural Roots Of Eating: A Comparative Analysis Of Organic Discourse And Marketing Practices In China And The United States, Zubin (Jane) Guo

Honors Theses

This thesis examines how cultural frameworks influence the development of the organic food market and shape individual attitudes towards the label “organic” in the U.S. and China. While the popularity of organic food has increased in recent years, cognitive and behavioral reactions toward the label “organic” have differed across societies. In the U.S., healthy eating discourse aligns closely with the individualistic culture and atomistic cognitive style, highlighting the importance of salient elements such as specific nutrients or chemical use. In contrast, Chinese healthy eating discourse is based on balance and harmony, which is directly related to traditional Chinese culture of …

La Mode Comme Arme À Double Tranchant : Construction Et Déconstruction De L’Indochine Coloniale, Sasha Hanson

Honors Theses

Cette thèse explore la façon dont la mode façonnait le pouvoir, l’identité et la résistance dans l’Indochine française à travers trois oeuvres littéraires : Un barrage contre le Pacifique (1950) de Marguerite Duras, Métisse blanche (1989) de Kim Lefèvre et The Book of Salt (2003) de Monique Truong. En appuyant sur les théories postcoloniales de Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Frantz Fanon et Homi K. Bhabha, j’argumente que la mode et les vêtements font plus que révéler les hiérarchies coloniales de race, classe et genre ; ils les renforcent activement. Alors que dans son récit, Duras expose les inégalités socio-économiques à l'intérieur …